Cyber Mission Engagement Lead

Cyber Mission Engagement Lead
Company: Venture-backed defense AI software company (name disclosed upon mutual interest)
Location: Washington, DC. Customer-facing, based in the DC area, with periodic travel.
Role Type: Full-Time Employee
Clearance: U.S. Person with an active Top Secret clearance (required)
Compensation: $200,000–$240,000 base, plus bonus and equity
About the Client
Our client 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 people (engineers and product leaders included) work forward, side by side with the units that own the mission, rather than building from a distance.
About the Role
As a Cyber Mission Engagement Lead, you own mission outcomes with government customers across the cyber community. You will find the mission problems worth solving, shape pilots and deployments around them, and turn proven results into lasting, funded programs.
The role combines mission credibility with strong execution and technical judgment. You will work with a high degree of independence in ambiguous settings, explain mission needs as clear technical stories, and coordinate with Product, Engineering, Mission, Security, and Operations to deliver and scale. Expect time in secure or classified spaces.
Responsibilities
Lead cyber mission engagements. Build trust with operators, analysts, planners, technical teams, and senior leaders to understand their priorities, objectives, and capability gaps.
Turn mission needs into plans. Convert operational challenges into problem statements, requirements, success measures, and execution roadmaps.
Connect technology to cyber workflows. Spot where AI can improve mission planning, targeting, intelligence production, defensive operations, vulnerability analysis, or command decision-making.
Shape pilots and adoption. Set objectives, timelines, evaluation criteria, and transition plans that carry a capability from first deployment to sustained operational use.
Speak in mission terms. Tie the technology to real cyber workflows and show measurable impact.
Drive execution. Run customer engagements, working groups, operational reviews, executive updates, action tracking, and risk mitigation across many stakeholders.
Coordinate delivery. Work closely with Product and Engineering so that mission requirements and user feedback shape what gets built.
Navigate the enterprise. Help stakeholders through requirements, integration, acquisition, budgeting cycles, security, and organizational coordination.
Enable users. Support onboarding, training, workflow integration, and change management so the capability is used and sustained.
Grow the footprint. Keep deep knowledge of customer organizations and evolving cyber challenges, and identify adjacent missions where the work can expand.
Requirements
Must-Haves
Active Top Secret clearance and U.S. Person status.
5+ years working in or alongside the U.S. cyber mission community (cyber operations, cyber defense, vulnerability analysis, mission planning, intelligence, or a related operational cyber function).
Direct experience supporting or working with U.S. Cyber Command, and a strong grasp of the cyber mission landscape.
Proven ability to lead across functions without close direction.
Strong written and verbal communication; able to turn ambiguity into clear plans.
Enough technical fluency to partner with Product and Engineering and to scope a software solution credibly against a mission problem.
Strong planning, prioritization, stakeholder management, and follow-through.
Willingness to be based in Washington, DC and to travel periodically.
Nice-to-Haves
Experience with CYBERCOM staff, a Cyber Service Component, NSA, the Joint Staff, or another cyber-focused organization.
Familiarity with AI-enabled mission workflows, cyber mission planning, intelligence analysis, or operational decision support tools.
Compensation & Benefits
Base salary is $200,000 to $240,000, plus bonus and equity.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) match
Unlimited PTO
Fully paid parental leave
Wellness and lifestyle stipends
Pay support during military reserve duty