Parallel Systems is pioneering autonomous battery-electric rail vehicles designed to transform freight transportation by shifting portions of the $900 billion U.S. trucking industry onto rail. Our innovative technology offers cleaner, safer, and more efficient logistics solutions. Join our dynamic team and help shape a smarter, greener future for global freight.
Director of Sales
Parallel Systems is seeking strategic, hands-on operators to lead rail partnerships and systems integration. This is not a traditional BD role. You’ll be on the front lines with customers — freight railroads, shippers, and intermodal operators — navigating complex technical, operational, and organizational dynamics to integrate our novel solution into their networks.
You will operate as a trusted advisor, sales lead, and integration strategist in one — responsible for both creating commercial traction and making deployments successful. You will collaborate closely with product, engineering, and executive teams to ensure customer needs are translated into scalable solutions.
Responsibilities:
- Lead strategic engagements with freight railroads, intermodal operators, and other key partners to identify opportunities for integration.
- Act as a systems integration lead: working side-by-side with customer operations, engineering, and commercial teams to define use cases, workflows, and technical interfaces.
- Develop commercial structures, pilot frameworks, and long-term partnership agreements.
- Translate frontline customer insights into product and go-to-market strategy.
- Build repeatable playbooks for customer onboarding, integration, and operational alignment.
- Represent Parallel at key industry events, regulatory forums, and customer workshops.
- Collaborate with legal, regulatory, and policy teams to align with evolving infrastructure and transportation standards.
What Success Looks Like:
- After 30 days: You're beginning to show up credibly and effectively in customer prospect interactions to advance deals with sufficient command of the Parallel operating system’s technical and operating detail.
- After 60 days: You're managing customer interactions on your own, including all the pre-work with internal stakeholders to develop and approve materials and follow-up with the customer executives
- After 90 days: You're running campaigns across your universe of target customers, from outbound lead generation at top of the funnel to closing mid-funnel client opportunities to post-sale client and up-sell management.
- After 180 days: You’ve closed your first sale and have developed pipeline in your target universe across all stages.
Basic Requirements:
- 5+ years in business development, customer facing roles ideally in freight rail, logistics, intermodal, AI, or transportation infrastructure.
- Proven ability to lead complex B2B or B2G sales or partnership efforts in hard-tech or infrastructure contexts.
- Ability and interest in working as an individual contributor with high visibility and accountability.
- Prior startup, new business line, or zero-to-one experience is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Engineering, supply chain, or industrial systems background is a plus, but not required.
- Systems thinker with the ability to connect operational detail with strategic opportunity.
- Exceptional communication skills across technical, operational, and executive stakeholders.
Compensation:
The expected salary for this role is between $150,000-$180,000 plus commission/incentive pay, with an on-target expectation of $300,000-500,000.
We are committed to providing fair and transparent compensation in accordance with applicable laws. Salary ranges are listed below and reflect the expected range for new hires in this role, based on factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and location. Final compensation may vary and will be determined during the interview process. The target hiring range for this position is listed below.
Parallel Systems is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any discriminatory factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. We work to build an inclusive environment in which all people can come to do their best work.
Parallel Systems is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Parallel Systems will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact your recruiter.
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Parallel Systems Los Angeles, California, USA Office
Los Angeles, CA, United States, 90013
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