Forward Deployed Mission Strategist, Unmanned Maritime Systems

Forward Deployed Mission Strategist, Unmanned Maritime Systems
Company: Venture-backed defense AI software company (name disclosed upon mutual interest)
Location: Norfolk, Virginia. On site with operators at least 3 days a week (local, relocating, or weekly travel).
Role Type: Full-Time Employee
Clearance: Not required to start; must be eligible and willing to obtain TS/SCI
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
The company is building software for planning, monitoring, and reviewing unmanned surface vessel (USV) missions, and is hiring a forward-deployed strategist to embed with the Navy's USV community in Norfolk. You will work alongside operators on site at least three days a week, plus waterfront and test time that may mean extra travel during experimentation periods. How these systems are operated is still being worked out, by the very operators you will sit with.
This is a 0-to-1 role. Nobody has settled yet how USVs operate best or what software they need. You will figure that out with the Navy and with the company's mission and engineering teams: understand what operators and commanders are trying to do, break messy operational problems into specific software problems, drive the capability needed, and put it into use. Some of that is configuration and workflow design in existing products; much of it is new capability built side by side with mission partners.
This is not a typical customer success, solutions, or product job. You will have access to government systems and operational settings most of the company does not, and you will be the bridge between USV teams and engineers. The work can be gritty, and you will often operate on your own on site, with support from product, engineering, and leadership.
Responsibilities
Embed with operators. Work on site with USV operators and mission planners in Norfolk and build deep intuition for unmanned surface operations, including underway and during fleet experimentation.
Prioritize the problems. Use what you learn first-hand to distill and rank the mission problems worth solving.
Build what works. Set up the workflows that matter most, refining them until they hold up on actual missions.
Own release quality. Track down bugs on fielded government systems and get them fixed with engineering.
Generate mission wins. Turn what gets deployed during operations into clear wins with Navy partners.
Operate independently. Set priorities on site and move work forward without waiting for perfect direction.
Requirements
Must-Haves
In person in Norfolk every week, whether you are local, relocate (relocation is covered), or travel in weekly.
Experience or strong interest in unmanned or manned surface vessels, unmanned systems, or software for planning, running, or monitoring hardware operations (space, for example).
Experience using technology to solve difficult problems, from product or engineering work or from fielding new technology in the military, and a proven knack for breaking problems into parts.
High ownership amid ambiguity, and the grit to push through iteration and friction until you get results.
Experience working with autonomous or unmanned platforms.
Nice-to-Haves
An active TS/SCI clearance. Not required, but you must be eligible and willing to be cleared.
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