Navy Mission Engagement Lead

Sitreps•San Diego, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Navy Mission Engagement Lead is the customer-facing owner of mission outcomes across the Navy enterprise in San Diego for a venture-backed defense AI software company. The role identifies problems worth solving, shapes pilots and deployments, and turns demonstrated value into lasting, funded programs. It combines mission credibility, execution, and technical judgment, requiring independent work in ambiguous settings and the ability to communicate mission needs as clear technical stories. The lead coordinates with Product, Engineering, Mission, Security, and Operations to deliver and scale solutions, with time expected in secure or classified spaces. The company builds AI-enabled software for high-stakes U.S. military and national security missions. Its software is already in operational use across the armed services, and its personnel work alongside the units responsible for the mission.

Requirements

Active Top Secret clearance and U.S. Person status.
At least 5 years supporting the Department of the Navy, defense acquisition, government technology, or national security programs.
Experience in or alongside Navy program offices, PEOs, SYSCOMs, warfare centers, or operational commands.
Background in defense acquisition, capability development, requirements, program management, systems engineering, or technical program execution.
Familiarity with Navy budgeting, acquisition, experimentation, and transition pathways, such as PEOs, NAVWAR, NAVAIR, NAVSEA, or NIWC.
Strong technical intuition and credibility with engineers, operators, acquisition professionals, and senior leaders.
Experience leading customer engagements around complex technical systems or software platforms.
Ability to build trust and drive outcomes across large government organizations while working independently.
Based in San Diego and willing to travel frequently.

Nice To Haves

A track record of moving new technology from experimentation or prototyping into funded programs of record.
Experience translating between operators, acquisition professionals, engineers, and senior leaders on complex programs.
Hands-on experience evaluating, deploying, or championing software-enabled capabilities in operational settings.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain trusted relationships across Navy program offices, PAEs, SYSCOMs, warfare centers, and operational commands.
Identify mission opportunities by understanding capability gaps, operational requirements, and acquisition priorities.
Lead customer engagements, including mission discovery, capability demonstrations, operational assessments, and account planning.
Own Navy mission and program engagements end to end, from pilot execution through operational adoption and transition to a program of record.
Translate operational challenges and technical requirements into practical solutions built on the company's software.
Work with government program managers, engineers, operators, and acquisition professionals on capability development and transition strategy.
Help customers navigate Navy acquisition, budgeting, requirements, experimentation, and transition pathways.
Support demonstrations, exercises, prototypes, and field deployments alongside Navy stakeholders.
Ensure customer feedback reaches Product and Engineering and informs the roadmap.
Represent the company at Navy industry events, technical exchanges, exercises, and conferences.