Director, Defense

Arc Boat Company • Torrance, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Arc is on a mission to electrify the marine industry, rethinking powertrains, software, and vessel designs. Having proven its core technology with consumer products and now scaling production, Arc is extending its platform to commercial applications, including tugs, ferries, and defense. With years of signed contracts and a robust pipeline, Arc is poised to lead the marine industry's transition to electric propulsion. The company is seeking a Director of Defense to establish its defense organization from the ground up. This role will define the strategy, build the team, and manage the external presence to position Arc as a key partner to the U.S. military, allied governments, and the defense industrial base. This is a high-visibility, full-time, on-site position at Arc's Los Angeles headquarters, reporting to the CTO. The Director will lead a team in a lean, high-trust environment where individual contributions are valued. The role involves shaping the future of electric marine propulsion in defense and unmanned maritime programs.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience across defense, aerospace, maritime, or dual-use hardware, with at least 4 years leading and building teams.
• Prior experience standing up or scaling a defense function strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of winning and executing significant defense programs, including capture leadership on programs of record, OTAs, or major prime subcontracts.
• Established relationships across the Navy, USMC, USCG, SOCOM, or relevant OSD offices, and credibility with the primes and non-traditional players in the maritime and unmanned domains.
• Deep fluency in the Defense Industrial Base, defense acquisition, and the full range of procurement pathways from SBIR through programs of record.
• Executive presence and communication skills, with the ability to represent Arc credibly to flag officers, senior acquisition officials, prime executives, and Congressional staff.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity, building a function from zero, and balancing near-term revenue with long-term positioning.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• This position may require access to export-controlled information. To comply with U.S. export control laws, applicants must be a U.S. Person as defined by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR §120.15).
• Ability to travel 30–40%, including to D.C., Norfolk, San Diego, and other fleet concentration areas.

Nice To Haves

• MBA, advanced technical degree, or military service background a plus.
• Experience working at an emerging technology defense contractor.
• Experience in strategy consulting.
• Experience in the maritime industry or with a government agency dealing with the marine domain.
• Direct experience engaging with government program offices (e.g., PEO USC, PMS 406, NAVSEA).
• Familiarity with autonomy, robotics, and maritime systems.
• Enthusiasm for boating and clean energy.

Responsibilities

• Defining and owning Arc's Defense strategy across all service branches and adjacent government entities, with a clear multi-year roadmap tied to company objectives.
• Building, hiring, and leading the Defense organization, including sales, business development, and technical program management.
• Establishing the operating cadence, forecasting, and pipeline discipline for a durable defense business.
• Serving as Arc's external face to the DoD, service branches, primes, and allied partners, building the executive-level relationships required to win programs of record.
• Leading capture strategy and execution for priority pursuits across the full spectrum of defense procurement pathways.
• Mapping relevant programs and contract vehicles to Arc's powertrain and power distribution capabilities, including emerging vehicles like Golden Fleet.
• Partnering with Engineering, Product, and Operations to translate warfighter needs into the product roadmap.
• Guiding company strategy with market intelligence, advisor networks, and a command of the competitive landscape, and represent Arc at industry forums, on the Hill, and with key stakeholders in all services.
• Establishing the compliance and infrastructure foundation for a scaling defense business, including ITAR, CMMC, and clearance requirements.

Benefits

• Salary: $270,000 + deal based eligibility
• Healthcare benefits — 99% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision
• Parental leave — 14 weeks fully paid for birthing and non-birthing parents
• Generous time off — Highly competitive PTO with an opportunity to earn more time with tenure
• Income protection — Life and disability insurance for all employees
• Retirement savings — Traditional and Roth 401(k) access
• Water fund — $500 for you to spend each year to get out on the water, however you choose
• Professional development — $500 annual reimbursement for professional development and a monthly AI stipend
• Safety Support- Annual reimbursement for PPE, ergonomic equipment and anything that ensures we keep our crew safe
• Captain training — Training and access to take Arcboats out with friends and family
• Office perks — Daily lunches, snacks, and good coffee while onsite
• Relocation assistance — Available depending on role eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director