Vannevar builds AI systems for the Department of War's most consequential missions. We have 125 deployments across every branch and combatant command spanning our core platform and five distinct products. An an example of how we work, when major combat operations started with Iran, we fielded a new product supporting 24/7 operations and 9,000+ users in three months.
How we build is our advantage: we deploy forward with the people who own the mission. Our engineers, product team, and CTO deploy forward to the point of friction, including visiting units in Ukraine. We focus on embedding directly with operational units supporting great power competition with China, combat operations with Iran, and counter-narcotics missions.
As a Senior Mission Manager, you will serve as a senior mission-facing leader responsible for driving program-based adoption of Vannevar Labs’ technology within government program offices. You will work closely with PEOs, PMWs, and program managers to shape pilots, scope capabilities, and convert demonstrated mission value into funded programs. This is a highly autonomous role that requires deep mission credibility, strong technical intuition, and the ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, early-stage program environments.
U.S. Persons status with at least a current Top Secret US DoD or IC clearance is required. This position is required to be based in DC, North Carolina, or Tampa.
- Lead engagements with program offices (PEOs, PMWs, PMOs, and equivalent organizations) to identify mission problems that Vannevar Labs’ technology can solve.
- Translate program needs into technical narratives, clearly explaining how our software and agent-based capabilities map to requirements, constraints, and outcomes.
- Scope and shape program-based pilots, defining objectives, success criteria, timelines, and pathways to scale.
- Pitch the technology with credibility, leveraging your mission and domain background to build trust with program managers and technical authorities.
- Navigate programmatic realities, including requirements development, budgeting cycles, contracting pathways, and stakeholder coordination.
- Partner closely with product managers and engineers to ensure mission context is accurately reflected in technical scope, tradeoffs, and delivery plans.
- Convert successful pilots into sustained programs, helping program offices justify follow-on funding and broader adoption.
- Represent Vannevar Labs within the program ecosystem as a mission-credible, technically fluent partner.
What we’re looking for
- 15–20+ years of experience in government or defense missions, typically as a retired O5/O6 or senior enlisted or civilian equivalent
- Deep expertise in a specific mission or technical domain (e.g., cyber, information warfare, ISR, networks, operational intelligence, warfare systems/command and control).
- Strong ability to scope, pitch, and sell technical solutions to senior government stakeholders — not just explain missions, but connect them to software capabilities.
- Proven experience navigating programmatic realities, including budgets, requirements, authorities, timelines, and stakeholder dynamics.
- Sufficient technical fluency to:
- Understand modern software systems and agent-based approaches
- Partner effectively with product and engineering teams
- Translate complex concepts into clear, mission-relevant narratives
- Demonstrated scrappiness and bias toward action — comfortable operating in ambiguity and pushing programs forward without perfect structure.
- High enthusiasm for building something new and shaping how cutting-edge technology is adopted inside government.
- Bonus of having acquisition, resource sponsor, or program manager experience.
What we value
- Mission-first mindset with a focus on real operational outcomes.
- Technical credibility paired with humility — able to learn quickly and ask the right questions.
- Clarity and precision in communication, especially with senior leaders.
- Ownership mentality — taking responsibility for moving programs from idea to execution.
- Low ego, high trust, and comfort collaborating across product, engineering, and mission teams.
What we offerCompetitive Salary
The salary range for this position is $180,000 - $220,000 + equity. Within the range, individual pay is determined by experience, relevant education, and/or training.
Comprehensive Benefits- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Remote friendly with WeWork access
- Unlimited PTO, shared downtime during the federal holiday calendar, and company-wide off time at the end of each year
- 401(k) match
- Lifestyle & wellbeing stipends
- Salary top-up during military reserve duty
- Fully paid parental leave
- Child and pet care reimbursement during travel
We are committed to protecting the privacy of all applicants. Official emails from the company will come from an @vannevarlabs.com domain. Under no circumstances will a legitimate representative from our company contact you to request passwords, financial information, or other sensitive personal data. Please be vigilant of potential scams.
Skills Required
- 15-20+ years of experience in government or defense missions
- Deep expertise in a specific mission or technical domain
- Strong ability to scope, pitch, and sell technical solutions
- Proven experience navigating programmatic realities
- Sufficient technical fluency to understand modern software systems
- Demonstrated scrappiness and bias toward action
What the Team is Saying
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Vannevar Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare is considered comprehensive, with top-tier medical, dental, and vision coverage highlighted alongside mental-health support and wellness stipends. These elements are consistently presented as core pillars of the package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is framed as generous, featuring unlimited PTO, shared downtime aligned to federal holidays, and a company-wide year-end break. The approach signals an expectation that employees actually disconnect and use their time.
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Parental & Family Support — Parental leave is described as fully paid for 12 weeks for all parents, with an additional 4 weeks for new mothers and flexibility to take leave in blocks over a year. Family-planning assistance, monthly caregiving stipends, and travel-related child/pet care reimbursement extend support beyond leave.
Vannevar Insights
What We Do
Vannevar combines Silicon Valley innovation with former special operators to build AI for real-world national security outcomes. Since our founding in 2019, Vannevar has deployed its technology across 125 missions, safeguarding our service members and improving our country's deterrence. We believe our military service members and intelligence officers deserve access to the best technology American innovation can offer, and we are mobilizing frontier technology for this mission. Our founders have 30 years of combined experience across AI labs, national security strategy, intelligence agencies and special operations. We're supported by a number of leading VCs, including Felicis, DFJ Growth, Point72, Costanoa, and General Catalyst. Vannevar is one of the most capital efficient defense tech companies, reaching early profitability and becoming a defense tech unicorn in 2024.
Why Work With Us
We pride ourselves on being a team of passionate, low-ego professionals who share a commitment to engineering excellence and a genuine concern for the people and AI agents we deliver. Vannevar is a company that truly cares about its people and one of our core principles is "put your wellbeing first".
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Vannevar Offices
Remote Workspace
Employees work remotely.
We are distributed across the map, but united by the mission. We go where the mission takes us and deliver where others can’t. Honolulu, Seattle, San Francisco, Washington D.C., New York. You decide what's next.
