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 nine 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:
The Director or Senior Director of Strategic Capture – OSW & Joint Staff will lead the development and execution of Shield AI’s long-term business development and capture strategy focused on the Office of the Secretary of War (OSW), the Assistant Secretaries, and the Joint Staff.
This individual will drive Shield AI’s engagement and alignment with enterprise-level defense priorities, modernization initiatives, and Secretariat transformation efforts — shaping strategic growth opportunities that advance the company’s impact across the joint force.
What you'll do:
Develop and execute a comprehensive OSW and Joint Staff capture strategy integrating service-aligned efforts across the DoW.
Identify, qualify, and prioritize strategic opportunities aligned with Department of War (DoW) enterprise priorities.
Establish and maintain trusted relationships with senior leaders across OSW and the Joint Staff — including key stakeholders within Research & Engineering (R&E), Acquisition & Sustainment (A&S), Cost Assessment & Program Evaluation (CAPE), Chief Digital and AI Office (CDAO), and other relevant offices.
Serve as Shield AI’s principal interface for enterprise-level DoW engagements, ensuring a unified message and coordinated strategy.
Anticipate and interpret policy, budget, and technology priorities emerging from OSW and the Joint Staff, translating them into actionable capture strategies and investment focus areas while supporting the teams' execution of service-focused capture.
Shape and influence DoW and Joint Staff concepts, roadmaps, and acquisition approaches that define future autonomy, AI, and unmanned systems adoption.
Required qualifications:
10+ years of experience in business development, strategy, or capture within the Department of Defense ecosystem, with a focus on OSW, Joint Staff, or enterprise-level engagements.
Deep understanding of DoW organizational structures, acquisition systems, and decision-making processes at the Secretariat and Joint levels.
Demonstrated success leading major captures ($50M+ value) or shaping large-scale defense initiatives through the full business development lifecycle.
Proven ability to influence and communicate effectively with senior DoW and Joint Staff stakeholders.
Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills, with demonstrated ability to collaborate across technical, operational, and policy teams.
Active Secret clearance (Top Secret preferred).
Preferred qualifications:
Experience with emerging technologies in autonomy, artificial intelligence (AI), command and control (C2), unmanned systems (UAS), or ISR.
Prior military, government, or industry experience supporting OSW, the Joint Staff, or a Service Secretariat.
Advanced degree in business, public policy, engineering, or a related field.
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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.
