Senior Director of Capture, Defense

Responsibilities

Leverage company’s already operational dual-use lightweight eVTOL technology and identify, cultivate and ultimately meet high-value mission needs: some defined and many are yet-to-be defined by DoD end users.  Pursue applications that can be met well (e.g. operational performance, economics, time to operational readiness … or some combination of these factors) by the company’s air vehicle architecture and technology, autonomy, and systems integration capabilities. Applications will include manned, unmanned (UAS), manned unmanned teaming (MUM-T) and optionally manned missions.
 
This leader will collaborate across the joint branches of the US Military, to include requirements generation customers, centers of excellence, acquisition centers, research and development activities, COCOMs, user commands, and defense technology incubator organizations to identify, cultivate, and grow developmental, experiment, and procurement opportunities and create investment opportunities by defense organizations.  Focus should first be on those organizations with the highest conversion potential to address the customer’s near-term operational needs that are aligned with the company’s roadmap.
 
This leader has relationships with and experience furthering collaboration and winning contract awards for development and demonstration within the defense innovation ecosystem including organizations such as SOFWERX, DIU, AFWERX Agility Prime, Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, AFRL, Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell (JRAC), DIU, and NavalX. The individual needs to possess the ability to engage and collaborate with selected combatant commands (e.g. SOCOM, CENTCOM) to develop and nurture end-user “pull” while informing solution requirements for the company.
 
The individual should be highly competent in collaborating internally with executive leadership, engineering, operations and training, product management, and potentially, 3rd party partners, to ensure appropriate and effective opportunity shaping occurs, and that technology and capability demonstrations are executed flawlessly. 
 
This is a very hands-on role and will be supported with additional talent (e.g. account managers, program managers, customer support staff) as opportunities are brought in and commitments inked. This leader has experience working with DoD while employed at “best practice” contractors and smaller organizations, ideally venture funded start up organizations. He/she understands the flexibility and resourcefulness required of such a role. 

Preferred Qualifications

5+ years in the US military, ideally with aviation experience 

10–15+ years of progressive experience in:  

• Defense business development 

• Government sales 

• Capture management  

Understanding of Defense Acquisition and DFAR 

Experience in proposal writing 

Proven success working with:  

• DoD customers (e.g. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, SOCOM) 

• Federal agencies (DHS, DOJ, IC, etc.) 

Experience with prime contractors, major subcontractors, or OEMs is highly valued 

Experience with:  

• Emerging technologies (AI/ML, autonomy, aviation, etc.) 

• IDIQ, SBIR/STTR, FFP, OTAs and nontraditional contracting 

Experience supporting:  

• International defense sales (FMS, DCS) 

 
Existing portfolio of active customers and network 

 Established relationships with:  

• Program Executive Offices (PEOs) 

• Program Managers (PMs) 

• Contracting Officers  

• End User commands 

 
Credibility with:  

• Military leadership from COCOM leaders to small units 

• Government civilians from Senior Executive Service leaders to program managers and requirements developers 

• Industry partners 

 Ability to open doors and influence requirements early 

SECRET security clearance  

Ability to deliver “The Message to Garcia” each day 

 

Attributes aligned with Core Values

• Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations, identifying and mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment. 
• Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as our core purpose. 
• Actively seeks and values diverse stakeholder perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication—committing to shared decisions for the greater good. 
• Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes while aligning actions with a clear understanding of success at every level. 
• Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical best practices to overcome obstacles and drive progress. 
• Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support—balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.