Sitreps 2 Steercos Verified
Consulting, Business Services, Strategic Management
Navy Mission Engagement Lead
San Diego, CAOnsiteFull TimeLead$165,000–$185,000 /yrPosted 15 days ago
Required skills
- Top Secret clearance
- U.S. Person
- Department of the Navy
- defense acquisition
- government technology
- national security programs
- Navy program offices
- PEOs
- SYSCOMs
- warfare centers
Nice to have
- new technology
- experimentation
- prototyping
- funded programs of record
- operators
- acquisition professionals
Role summary
A venture-backed defense AI software company is seeking a Navy Mission Engagement Lead in San Diego, CA. This full-time role requires an active Top Secret clearance and U.S. Person status, with 5+ years of experience supporting the Department of the Navy, defense acquisition, or national security programs. The lead will be the customer-facing owner of mission outcomes, identifying problems, shaping pilots, and driving programs to adoption. Responsibilities include building trusted relationships, leading customer engagements, translating operational challenges into technical solutions, and navigating Navy acquisition pathways. Familiarity with defense acquisition, program management, and complex technical systems is essential. A track record of moving technology from experimentation to funded programs is preferred.
Navy Mission Engagement LeadCompany: Venture-backed defense AI software company (name disclosed upon mutual interest)Location: San Diego, California. Customer-facing, based in San Diego, with frequent travel.Role Type: Full-Time EmployeeClearance: U.S. Person with an active Top Secret clearance (required)Compensation: $165,000–$185,000 base, plus equityAbout the ClientOur client builds AI-enabled software for high-stakes U.S. military and national security missions. Its software is already in operational use across the armed services, and its people (engineers and product leaders included) work forward, side by side with the units that own the mission, rather than building from a distance.About the RoleAs the Navy Mission Engagement Lead, you are the customer-facing owner of mission outcomes across the Navy enterprise in San Diego. You will identify the problems worth solving, shape pilots and deployments, and turn proven value into lasting, funded programs.The role blends mission credibility with strong execution and technical judgment. You will work independently in ambiguous settings, explain mission needs as clear technical stories, and coordinate with Product, Engineering, Mission, Security, and Operations to deliver and scale. Expect time in secure or classified spaces.Responsibilities Build and keep trusted relationships across Navy program offices, PAEs, SYSCOMs, warfare centers, and operational commands.
Find new mission opportunities by understanding capability gaps, operational requirements, and acquisition priorities.
Lead customer engagements, including mission discovery, capability demonstrations, operational assessments, and account planning.
Own Navy mission and program engagements end to end, from pilot execution through operational adoption and transition to a program of record.
Translate operational challenges and technical requirements into practical solutions built on the company's software.
Work with government program managers, engineers, operators, and acquisition professionals on capability development and transition strategy.
Help customers navigate Navy acquisition, budgeting, requirements, experimentation, and transition pathways.
Support demonstrations, exercises, prototypes, and field deployments alongside Navy stakeholders.
Make sure customer feedback reaches product and engineering and shapes the roadmap.
Represent the company at Navy industry events, technical exchanges, exercises, and conferences. RequirementsMust-Haves Active Top Secret clearance and U.S. Person status.
5+ years supporting the Department of the Navy, defense acquisition, government technology, or national security programs.
Experience in or alongside Navy program offices, PEOs, SYSCOMs, warfare centers, or operational commands.
Background in defense acquisition, capability development, requirements, program management, systems engineering, or technical program execution.
Familiarity with Navy budgeting, acquisition, experimentation, and transition pathways (for example PEOs, NAVWAR, NAVAIR, NAVSEA, or NIWC).
Strong technical intuition and credibility with engineers, operators, acquisition professionals, and senior leaders.
Experience leading customer engagements around complex technical systems or software platforms.
Ability to build trust and drive outcomes across large government organizations, working independently.
Based in San Diego and willing to travel frequently. Nice-to-Haves A track record of moving new technology from experimentation or prototyping into funded programs of record.
Experience translating between operators, acquisition professionals, engineers, and senior leaders on complex programs.
Hands-on experience evaluating, deploying, or championing software-enabled capabilities in operational settings. Compensation & BenefitsBase salary is $165,000 to $185,000, plus equity. Medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) match
Unlimited PTO
Fully paid parental leave
Wellness and lifestyle stipends
Pay support during military reserve duty
