Mission Lead - USV Software

Vannevar•Norfolk, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Vannevar is a defense technology company building AI to deter adversaries. They are developing agentic AI for conflict scenarios, modeling adversary behavior, simulating campaigns, and recommending actions. Their AI systems are used in the Indo-Pacific. Vannevar is a small, agile team of engineers and defense strategists focused on mission impact, user empathy, and disciplined growth, having achieved unicorn status and profitability. This role focuses on building the software for planning, operational monitoring, and post-mission analysis for Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs). The Mission Lead will be forward-deployed with the Navy's USV community in Norfolk, working on-site at least 3 days per week. This is a 0 to 1 role where the individual will define how USV systems operate and what software is needed. The responsibilities include understanding operator needs, translating operational problems into software requirements, driving capability development, and implementing solutions with the Navy. This is not a traditional customer success, solutions, or product role, but involves direct access to government systems and operational environments. The role requires translating between USV teams and engineers, identifying and prioritizing mission problems, and troubleshooting releases. The work can be gritty, involving iterative configuration and testing, with high impact on naval operations.

Requirements

Must be in person in Norfolk every week (local, relocation, or weekly travel).
Experience or strong demonstrated interest in unmanned systems, unmanned surface vessels, manned surface vessels, or software related to planning, executing, or monitoring hardware operations.
Experience using technology to solve difficult problems, either through development (product/engineering) or operational experience fielding new technology.
Demonstrated ability to decompose problems into component parts and creatively use technology to impact those parts.
High ownership and ability to operate independently amid ambiguity.
Grit and persistence to work through ambiguity, iteration, and friction to achieve impact.
Experience working with autonomous or unmanned platforms.

Nice To Haves

TS/SCI clearance (eligible and willing to obtain; clearance not required initially).

Responsibilities

Embed with USV operators on-site in Norfolk to understand unmanned surface operations, including underway and fleet experimentation.
Synthesize USV operational problems by distilling and prioritizing mission challenges based on on-site expertise.
Configure and validate high-value workflows through creative, iterative configuration against real mission tasks.
Test and troubleshoot product issues on deployed government systems, working with engineering for resolution.
Generate mission wins by leveraging deployed capabilities during operations with Navy counterparts.
Operate independently on-site, setting priorities and driving work forward without constant direction.