Mission Lead, Protection Operations

Sitreps • Arlington, VA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Mission Lead, Protection Operations will lead the mission side of a new protection-focused effort at an early-stage defense AI company. This is a domain-focused role for an experienced protection professional who can advise on operational and strategic force protection problems and ensure the company’s software addresses commanders’ needs. The role does not require the candidate to be a technologist; the company’s engineers build the software, while the Mission Lead provides domain expertise and product direction.

The role involves working with protection cells, installation leaders, and operational staffs; translating their needs into clear requirements; and incorporating protection policy, plans, and standard operating procedures into the product. The Mission Lead will support the effort from initial customer meetings through scoping, design input, training, and ongoing customer support, and will help shape future company development in the protection space. The position is full-time and in person in Arlington, Virginia, with travel of up to 20%.

Requirements

• Mid-career Army protection background at the MAJ or LTC level, or GS-13/14 equivalent.
• Field Artillery, Air Defense Artillery, or engineering background.
• Hands-on experience with base defense and protection problems at the operational or strategic level.
• Expert knowledge of sensor-to-shooter networks, homeland defense or protection planning, counter-unmanned systems (cUxS), and antiterrorism planning.
• Experience in a G3/J3 protection cell at an Army Service Component Command or combatant command, or in a force protection role with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• High ownership, comfort with ambiguity, and ability to move quickly without being told what to prioritize.
• Ability to work in person in Arlington, Virginia.

Nice To Haves

• Experience writing or owning force protection policy, plans, or SOPs at a combatant command or component command, such as USAREUR-AF.
• Homeland defense or installation protection experience, such as with USNORTHCOM or ARNORTH.
• Recent counter-small UAS work at the joint or interagency level.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mission side of a new protection effort, from initial customer meetings through scoping, design input, training, and ongoing support.
• Translate force protection, base defense, and counter-unmanned systems problems into clear requirements for engineers.
• Work directly with protection cells, installation leaders, and operational staffs to understand how they plan, decide, and act.
• Apply knowledge of protection policy, plans, and SOPs to ensure the product fits existing command practices.
• Travel to customer sites and events, up to 20%, and share findings with the team.
• Help shape the company’s future work in the protection space.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and equity.
• Opportunity to join a founding team and directly shape the future of the company.
• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge AI technology in a defense context.
• Full health and dental benefits.
• 401(k).
• Commuting benefits.
• Lunch when in the office.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed