Manager of Defense Programs

Anno.ai

18h•Remote

About The Position

Anno.ai is a mission-focused defense technology startup that develops and operates advanced test ranges for early-stage autonomous systems. The company helps defense partners and innovators validate and mature emerging technologies in complex, contested environments. The Defense Programs Manager supports and executes program management, business development, and federal acquisition initiatives in the defense and national security market. The role coordinates defense technology programs; researches business opportunities; supports federal contracting and acquisition processes; and contributes to capture strategies and proposal development. The manager works with company leadership, technical teams, government stakeholders, and external partners to translate requirements into actionable plans. This position is remote and open to candidates anywhere in the continental United States; Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the preferred residence. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, and travel up to 20% of the time.

Requirements

5–10 years of relevant professional experience in defense programs, federal acquisitions, government contracting, business development, program management, or a related field; equivalent military or government experience will be considered.
Working knowledge of DoD organizations, missions, acquisition processes, contracting practices, or program-management activities.
Experience coordinating projects or programs, managing deliverables, tracking milestones, and working with multiple stakeholders.
Experience supporting federal acquisition, contracting, business development, or government program activities.
Ability to research complex topics independently, analyze information, identify risks and opportunities, and develop practical recommendations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing professional reports, presentations, briefings, proposals, or decision-support materials.
Strong organizational and project-management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail.
Initiative, problem-solving skills, and ability to take ownership of responsibilities with appropriate guidance.
Ability to build effective working relationships and collaborate with technical, operational, business, and government stakeholders.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and ability to learn additional business development and program-management tools.
Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive, proprietary, or mission-related information.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote, fast-moving, mission-focused team.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.
Ability to travel up to 20% of the time.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience supporting DoD acquisition, contracting, requirements development, resource management, program management, or operational planning.
Experience developing, reviewing, or contributing to PWS, SOW, SOO, or related acquisition documentation.
Familiarity with the federal acquisition lifecycle, FAR, DFARS, contract vehicles, OTAs, or SBIR/STTR programs.
Experience supporting defense business development, capture management, proposal development, customer engagement, or opportunity assessments.
Experience preparing responses to government RFIs, RFPs, or other federal solicitations.
Experience conducting market, customer, competitor, or opportunity research and presenting findings to decision-makers.
Experience translating military operational needs or government requirements into acquisition strategies, program plans, or business recommendations.
Experience monitoring program schedules, budgets, risks, deliverables, and stakeholder commitments.
Strong technical writing skills, particularly for acquisition documentation, proposals, technical reports, or customer-facing materials.
Familiarity with autonomous systems, unmanned platforms, artificial intelligence, data analytics, or other emerging defense technologies.
Bachelor’s degree, military training, professional certification, or relevant coursework in business, acquisition, contracting, public policy, national security, engineering, or a related field.
Experience working in a startup, small business, or rapidly evolving organization.
An active or recently held U.S. Government security clearance.

Responsibilities

Manage and coordinate assigned early-stage defense technology program activities, including schedules, milestones, deliverables, budgets, and risks.
Monitor program performance, identify potential challenges, and recommend solutions to keep projects on track.
Coordinate with internal technical teams, government customers, and external partners to support program execution.
Develop program documentation, status reports, briefings, and other decision-support materials.
Support DoD federal contracting and acquisition activities, including acquisition planning, requirements development, and contract execution.
Research acquisition strategies, contract vehicles, solicitation requirements, and government procurement opportunities.
Assist in developing and reviewing Statements of Work, Performance Work Statements, Statements of Objectives, and related acquisition documentation.
Track acquisition timelines, solicitation requirements, deliverables, and compliance obligations with stakeholders.
Identify, research, and evaluate business development opportunities aligned with the company’s technologies and strategic priorities.
Support capture planning, proposal development, and responses to government solicitations, RFIs, and other opportunities.
Conduct market, customer, and competitor research to inform business development strategies and opportunity assessments.
Help develop customer presentations, capability statements, proposals, and strategic briefings.
Build and maintain working relationships with government stakeholders, industry partners, and potential customers.
Maintain opportunity pipelines, track business development activities, and provide regular leadership updates.
Translate government and military operational requirements into actionable business, technical, and program recommendations.
Collaborate with leadership, engineering, operations, and business development teams to align customer needs with company capabilities.
Take ownership of assigned projects and deliverables, identify opportunities to improve processes, and adapt to changing priorities.

Benefits

Competitive salary
Equity
Comprehensive benefits package
401(k) with a 5% company match
Paid holidays and generous paid time off
Paid leave programs
Patent bonus program
Employee referral bonus program
Learning and development program
Opportunity to work with a team of highly skilled, creative, and motivated team members