General Manager, AI Test & Evaluation Products

CoVar • Durham, NC

2h

About The Position

CoVar is hiring a General Manager to build a business around software developed under a DARPA program for testing and evaluating autonomous and AI-enabled systems. The role will develop a new line of business from initial customer conversations through sales and revenue, ultimately taking responsibility for product P&L. The product addresses the need among Government test organizations, defense primes, and commercial developers to demonstrate that AI-enabled systems behave as intended.

The General Manager will engage buyers across the Department of War test community, defense primes, and commercial robotics and AI assurance markets. They will develop a data-backed value proposition, go-to-market and financing plans, and present those plans to customers and investors. The position reports to the VP of Strategy and works directly with the CEO and CTO. The role may be based in Durham, NC, or McLean, VA, and involves regular travel to customers, investors, and DoW test sites.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in engineering, computer science, physics, math, or a related field, or equivalent technical experience such as hands-on experience with autonomous systems, coding, or engineering.
• At least 8 years of professional experience, including at least 3 years leading go-to-market, business development, or product commercialization.
• Working knowledge of the DoW test and evaluation community and the DoW acquisition process.
• Track record of taking an early-stage or deep-tech product to paying customers, with measurable revenue results.
• Experience raising private capital or winning Government transition funding, including proposal writing and presentation creation.
• Experience conducting customer discovery and setting pricing and business models.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work from Durham, NC, or McLean, VA, with regular travel to customers, investors, and DoW test sites.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or equivalent business training.
• Experience at a DoW test range, test organization, or acquisition program office.
• Experience in commercial autonomy, robotics, or AI assurance.
• Network in the DoW, prime contractor, and defense-tech investor communities.
• P&L ownership for a product or business unit.
• Active U.S. security clearance.
• Experience building or licensing a dual-use product for Government and commercial markets.
• Familiarity with AI test, evaluation, and assurance frameworks, such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework.
• Experience hiring and leading a small cross-functional team.

Responsibilities

• Own the commercialization strategy and product roadmap, taking the technology from its DARPA program baseline to a supportable, fieldable product.
• Lead customer discovery across DoW test ranges and operational test agencies, acquisition program offices, defense primes, and commercial autonomy and AI assurance buyers.
• Define the value proposition, pricing, and business model using customer data and validation through paying pilots.
• Identify and pursue transition pathways, including SBIR Phase III, Other Transaction Agreements, CRADAs, program office funding, and commercial licensing.
• Build go-to-market and financing plans and present them to customers, Government sponsors, and investors.
• Work with engineering to translate customer requirements into product priorities and a realistic delivery plan.
• Set commercialization milestones and revenue targets, and report progress to CoVar leadership.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, cash bonus, equity structure, and 401k with employer contributions.
• Health care coverage, including dental and vision plans.
• Parental leave.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Tuition support.
• PTO and paid holidays.

What This Job Offers

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