What you'll do:
Develop and execute a comprehensive USMC capture strategy integrating all SAI products.
Identify, qualify, and prioritize strategic opportunities aligned with USMC enterprise priorities.
Establish and maintain trusted relationships with senior leaders across USMC — including key stakeholders within HQMC, the relevant Navy acquisition offices, the Deputy Commandant -Aviation, and other critical and influential Marine Corps headquarters.
Serve as Shield AI’s principal interface for enterprise-level USMC engagements, ensuring a unified message and coordinated strategy.
Anticipate and interpret policy, budget, and technology priorities emerging from HQMC translating them into actionable capture strategies and investment focus areas while supporting the teams' execution of service-focused capture.
Shape and influence Marine Corps concepts, roadmaps, and acquisition approaches that define future autonomy, AI, and unmanned systems adoption.
The Strategic Capture Director/Senior Director - USMC will lead the development and execution of Shield AI’s long-term business development and capture strategy focused on the United States Marine Corps.
This individual will drive Shield AI’s engagement and alignment with enterprise-level defense priorities, modernization initiatives, and Marine Corps 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 USMC enterprise-level engagements.
- Deep understanding of USMC 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 USMC 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 USMC efforts.
- Advanced degree in business, public policy, engineering, or a related field.
Skills Required
- 10+ years of experience in business development, strategy, or capture within the Department of War ecosystem, with a focus on USMC enterprise-level engagements.
- Deep understanding of USMC 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 USMC stakeholders.
- Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills, with demonstrated ability to collaborate across technical, operational, and policy teams.
- Active Secret clearance (Top Secret preferred).
- 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 USMC 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 defense-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.
