Strategic Pursuits Leader, US Navy (R3847)
Shield AI
Washington, DC, USA
USD 100k-150k / year + Equity
Posted on Nov 5, 2025
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Job Description:
Shield AI is looking for a Strategic Pursuits Leader - US Navy to take extreme ownership of strategic growth, technical writing, and content development focused on US Navy account growth, INDOPACOM operations, naval aviation, carrier air wing, autonomy software, and unmanned systems.
This role is part of Business Development Operations (BD Ops) and works cross-functionally to develop compliant, compelling, and technically sound proposals and capture strategies for government and commercial defense customers.
The ideal candidate will have a background in areas such as autonomy, UAS/UAV systems, aerospace, and defense software, paired with a firm grasp of military strategy, naval operations, carrier strike group operations, and INDOPACOM theater operations, and the DoD acquisition lifecycle.
What we are looking for:
The Right Candidate
· Hard-charging professional who takes extreme ownership of strategic pursuits and delivers results
· Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives with competing priorities
· Vision to grow and scale Shield AI's technology across new markets and mission sets
· Proven track record of driving strategic initiatives from conception to execution
Strategic Thinker & Business Leader
· Management and strategy consulting experience with demonstrated business acumen
· Strong corporate development background with understanding of M&A, partnerships, and strategic growth
· Deep knowledge of defense acquisition processes, program lifecycles, and procurement strategies
· Ability to develop capture strategies, competitive analysis, and win themes for complex pursuits
· Experience advising executive leadership, BD account executives, government relations leads, and strategic engagement executives
Technical Storyteller & Communicator
· Exceptional ability to learn and understand complex technology: how it works, what problems it solves, how it aligns to customer missions, and why it's significant
· Strong technical writing skills to translate autonomy, AI, and defense systems into compelling customer narratives
· Proven ability to produce polished collateral, PowerPoint briefs, and strategic documents for senior leadership
· Excellent public speaking skills and comfort presenting to executives, government officials, and stakeholders
· Thought leader who can craft key messages, win themes, and strategic communications
Cross-Functional Collaborator
· Experience working across executive office, engineering, marketing, product, sales, business development, sales engineering, contracts & legal, and operations teams
· Ability to facilitate alignment between technical SMEs, business stakeholders, and customer requirements
· Strong programmatic understanding with ability to integrate technical, schedule, and cost perspectives
· Builds trust and drives results through collaboration and influence without direct authority
What you'll do:
- Balance competing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment including strategic planning, technical content generation, and process improvement
- Serve as the strategic lead to develop, manage, and author capture plans, proposals, white papers, briefings, and strategic engagement materials
- Develop compelling technical narratives that translate autonomy, aircraft systems, and mission software into customer-focused value propositions
- Lead cross-functional teams through complex capture and proposal efforts, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer priorities
- Provide strategic counsel to account executives and leadership on pursuit strategy, competitive positioning, and customer engagement
- Develop briefing decks, customer-facing materials, and internal knowledge artifacts to support business development operations
- Drive thought leadership and strategic communications that position Shield AI for long-term growth
Required qualifications:
- 6-8+ years of federal or international government proposal experience, business development, strategy consulting, management consulting, or corporate development
- Alternatively, 7+ years working with federal or international government requirements, with exposure to defense procurement and program management
- BS in Business, STEM, or related field
- Proven record of high performance in collaborative, fast-paced, high-stakes environments
- Excellent presentation and public speaking skills with ability to engage C-suite executives and senior government officials
- Experience supporting BD efforts with technical storytelling, strategic planning, and deal structuring
- Deep understanding of DoD acquisition processes, program lifecycles, and defense industry dynamics
Preferred qualifications:
- MBA, advanced degree in STEM, or graduate degree in relevant discipline (strategy, international relations, national security)
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Deep understanding of US Navy acquisition, NAVAIR, and PEO/PMW program structures
- Expertise in naval aviation platforms, carrier air wing composition, and shipboard integration
- Experience with missile systems, strike warfare, and naval fires integration
- Existing relationships within Navy acquisition community, carrier strike groups, or INDOPACOM commands
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Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
100000 - 150000 USD a year