What you'll do:
Develop and execute a comprehensive SOCOM/service SOF components capture strategy integrating service-aligned efforts across the DoW.
Identify, qualify, and prioritize strategic opportunities aligned with SOCOM enterprise priorities.
Establish and maintain trusted relationships with senior leaders across SOCOM and SOF AT&L, — including key stakeholders within each PEO and critical proponent offices such as PEO SOF Warrior, PM Fixed Wing, PM Lethality, and JSOC.
Serve as Shield AI’s principal interface for enterprise-level SOCOM engagements, ensuring a unified message and coordinated strategy.
Anticipate and interpret policy, budget, and technology priorities emerging from SOCOM, translating them into actionable capture strategies and investment focus areas while supporting the teams' execution of service-focused capture.
Shape and influence SOCOM concepts, roadmaps, and acquisition approaches that define future autonomy, AI, and unmanned systems adoption.
The Principal Capture Director - SOCOM - will lead the development and execution of Shield AI’s long-term business development and capture strategy focused on SOCOM Acquisition, Technology & Logistics (SOF AT&L) and collaborate with our service leads to design and implement SOF-component capture strategies aligned with the services (e.g. US Army Special Operations Command, Naval Special Warfare Command, etc).
This individual will drive Shield AI’s engagement and alignment with enterprise-level defense priorities, modernization initiatives, and SOCOM-level transformation efforts — shaping strategic growth opportunities that advance the company’s impact across the joint force.
Measures of success (First 6–12 Months):
- Established relationships with relevant operational commands, requirements developers, and acquisition offices
- Create/update existing capture plan and qualify programmed resource streams for Shield AI products in line with operational force needs
- Influence the production of future requirements and solicitations favoring Shield AI product offerings
Required qualifications:
- 10+ years of experience in business development, strategy, or capture within the Department of War ecosystem, with a focus on SOCOM enterprise-level engagements.
- Deep understanding of SOCOM organizational structures, acquisition systems, and decision-making processes at the Secretariat and Joint levels.
- Demonstrated success leading major captures ($50M+ value) or shaping large-scale defense initiatives through the full business development lifecycle.
- Proven ability to influence and communicate effectively with senior SOCOM stakeholders.
- Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills, with demonstrated ability to collaborate across technical, operational, and policy teams.
- Active Secret clearance (Top Secret preferred).
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with emerging technologies in autonomy, artificial intelligence (AI), command and control (C2), unmanned systems (UAS), or ISR.
- Prior military, government, or industry experience supporting SOCOM efforts.
- Advanced degree in business, public policy, engineering, or a related field.
Skills Required
- 10+ years in business development, strategy, or capture within the Department of Defense/War ecosystem with SOCOM-focused engagements
- Deep understanding of SOCOM organizational structures, acquisition systems, and Secretariat/Joint-level decision processes
- Demonstrated success leading major captures ($50M+ value) or shaping large-scale defense initiatives through full business development lifecycle
- Proven ability to influence and communicate effectively with senior SOCOM stakeholders
- Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills; ability to collaborate across technical, operational, and policy teams
- Active Secret clearance (Top Secret preferred)
- Experience with emerging technologies in autonomy, AI, C2, unmanned systems (UAS), or ISR
- Prior military, government, or industry experience supporting SOCOM efforts
- Advanced degree in business, public policy, engineering, or a related field
What the Team is Saying
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage alongside a mental‑health EAP. Site perks such as an onsite gym in DC and a gym discount in San Diego support a health‑focused offering.
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Retirement Support — Careers materials highlight a 401(k) with company match as part of the standard package. A Total Rewards overview emphasizes retirement features within a broader, transparent compensation view.
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Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Compensation for in‑demand technical and senior go‑to‑market roles is described as competitive, with visible engineering ranges and top‑end packages. This points to meaningful upside tied to role, level, and scarce skills.
Shield AI Insights
What We Do
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.
Why Work With Us
What makes Shield AI special is our people. We unlock the power of autonomy, and in the face of overwhelming odds and challenges, we find ways to win and make a difference for our customers. We bring together software, AI, and aerospace engineering disciplines to deploy the most intelligent aviation capabilities in the world.
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Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
