Strategic Account Manager, U.S. Air Force Growth
Company Overview:
Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing an autonomous gun turret using advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely detect, track, and neutralize enemy drones.
With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders' successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, and recently strengthened by a Series B to scale manufacturing and accelerate deployment of Bullfrog™, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop will have a real-world impact.
About The Role:
We are looking for a Strategic Account Manager, U.S. Air Force Growth to drive growth across the Air Force acquisition ecosystem. You will identify, shape, capture, and scale opportunities that align with ACS's counter-UxS portfolio, serving as the connective tissue between customers, product management, engineering, operations, and executive leadership to ensure ACS is building the right products for the right programs at the right time.
This role is based in Washington, D.C. / Northern Virginia or Huntsville, AL (preferred), with Austin, TX or remote (CONUS) as alternative locations.
What You'll Do:
Develop and execute ACS's U.S. Air Force growth strategy, building multi-year campaign plans aligned to Air Force budget cycles, modernization priorities, and acquisition pathways; track Air Force POM, budget, congressional, and acquisition activity to identify future opportunities.
Engage operational users, program executive offices, program managers, and other acquisition stakeholders to shape requirements ahead of formal solicitation; drive adoption of ACS technologies into Air Force concepts, requirements documents, and capability development efforts.
Own strategic opportunities from identification through contract award, leading capture teams and developing capture plans, competitive assessments, win strategies, and customer engagement plans; coordinate cross-functional resources to maximize probability of win.
Establish and maintain trusted relationships across Air Force acquisition, modernization, and operational organizations, representing ACS at conferences, industry days, and demonstrations relevant to go-to-market.
Translate customer feedback into actionable product requirements, partnering with engineering and product leadership to keep the roadmap aligned with Air Force priorities.
Build and lead cross-functional pursuit teams, coordinating stakeholders across engineering, product, finance, operations, contracts, and executive leadership.
What You'll Need:
10+ years of experience in defense business development, capture management, military acquisition, or operational leadership, with a proven record of winning and growing DoD programs.
Deep understanding of Air Force acquisition processes and organizations, including budgeting, POM cycles, and funding mechanisms.
Demonstrated experience shaping requirements prior to formal solicitation, and experience leading complex captures valued at $25M or more.
Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Political Science, Military Studies, or a related field; exceptional communication, presentation, and executive engagement skills.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance; U.S. citizenship required.
You'll Stand Out:
Former Air Force officer, acquisition professional, program manager, senior government civilian, or proven defense industry growth leader, ideally within a high-growth defense technology company.
Existing relationships across Air Force acquisition and modernization organizations.
Experience transitioning programs from prototype to Program of Record.
Experience with autonomous systems, robotics, counter-UAS, force protection, air defense, sensors, command and control, or advanced weapons systems.
Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.
What We Offer:
Competitive salary
ACS Equity Package
Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
Paid Time Off
Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Skills Required
- 10+ years of experience in defense business development, capture management, military acquisition, or operational leadership
- Proven record of winning and growing Department of Defense programs
- Deep understanding of U.S. Air Force acquisition processes, organizations, budgeting, POM cycles, and funding mechanisms
- Experience shaping requirements before formal solicitation
- Experience leading complex captures valued at $25 million or more
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Political Science, Military Studies, or a related field
- Strong communication, presentation, and executive engagement skills
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance
- U.S. citizenship
- Former Air Force officer, acquisition professional, program manager, senior government civilian, or proven defense industry growth leader
- Existing relationships across Air Force acquisition and modernization organizations
- Experience transitioning programs from prototype to Program of Record
- Experience with autonomous systems, robotics, counter-UAS, force protection, air defense, sensors, command and control, or advanced weapons systems
- Active Secret or Top Secret clearance
Allen Control Systems Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Health, dental, and vision coverage are consistently listed as employer‑provided across current role descriptions, indicating a solid core healthcare offering. This aligns with the startup‑standard package the company advertises.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off is explicitly advertised alongside core health benefits in multiple postings. While accrual details aren’t shown publicly, its consistent inclusion signals baseline time‑off coverage.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An “ACS Equity Package” is repeatedly called out in job descriptions, suggesting equity grants are a standard component of total compensation. Visibility of equity across roles points to broad access to ownership upside, with specifics to be confirmed.
Allen Control Systems Insights
What We Do
Allen Control Systems is a defense technology company for a new era of drone warfare and to completely change battlefield economics. ACS is developing counter-drone robotic gun systems targeted at neutralizing attacking drone swarms, drones that are pre-programmed with AI, and drones that are non-jammable. ACS was created to lower the cost per kill of a drone to a few dollars. We do this by combining cutting-edge hardware and software that allows us to point an inexpensive gun that already exists in the field more accurately than anyone ever has before. ACS is a remote organization, with our HQ in Austin, Texas, and an office in Alexandria, Va. If you're passionate about our mission, we’d love to hear from you.
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