Navy Mission Engagement Lead

Navy Mission Engagement Lead
Company: Venture-backed defense AI software company (name disclosed upon mutual interest)
Location: San Diego, California. Customer-facing, based in San Diego, with frequent travel.
Role Type: Full-Time Employee
Clearance: U.S. Person with an active Top Secret clearance (required)
Compensation: $165,000–$185,000 base, plus 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 the Navy Mission Engagement Lead, you are the customer-facing owner of mission outcomes across the Navy enterprise in San Diego. You will identify the problems worth solving, shape pilots and deployments, and turn proven value into lasting, funded programs.
The role blends mission credibility with strong execution and technical judgment. You will work independently 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
Build and keep trusted relationships across Navy program offices, PAEs, SYSCOMs, warfare centers, and operational commands.
Find new 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.
Make sure customer feedback reaches product and engineering and shapes the roadmap.
Represent the company at Navy industry events, technical exchanges, exercises, and conferences.
Requirements
Must-Haves
Active Top Secret clearance and U.S. Person status.
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 (for example 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, 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.
Compensation & Benefits
Base salary is $165,000 to $185,000, plus 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