Deployment Strategist Los Angeles, CA Apply →

Scale AI, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 203,200 - 254,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health benefits

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

PTO

Learning stipend

Commuter stipend

Job summary

Scale AI, Inc. is seeking a Defense Deployment Strategist to bridge cutting-edge AI research with mission-critical defense deployments.

You will own multi‑year, high-value deals, coordinate with cross‑functional teams, and drive the expansion of Agentic AI into large-scale programs. Based in California, you will navigate defense contracting complexities and lead executive sponsorship efforts to secure funding and ensure program success.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in complex enterprise IT sales/business development in the DoW/IC.
• Proven track record closing multi-year deals > $25M.
• Deep understanding of DoW modernization priorities, AI/ML, CV, or autonomous systems.
• Ability to transition technology from a demo to deployed capability within a PEO.
• Strong strategic network with Defense Agencies and primes.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance preferred.
• BS/BA required; technical degree or MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own multi-year revenue quota and full lifecycle from opportunity to contract.
• Draft white papers, lead complex proposals, and architect deal structures.
• Lead account delivery with Engagement Managers, Technical PMs, Engineers and Product to enable success and scale pilots.
• Own long-term account strategy, identify next use case, and drive 10x growth across programs.
• Co-design Agentic AI workflows with customers and technical teams to translate requirements into buildable specs.
• Negotiate with SIs and Defense Primes to ensure Scale is the engine of larger programs.

Skills

Enterprise IT sales

Defense contracting

DoW/IC knowledge

Education

BS/BA required

Technical degree or MBA preferred

Job description

Scale is building AI for the world’s most important decisions. From the front lines of national defense to the core of global enterprise, we provide the data engine and agentic infrastructure that powers the next generation of American and allied interests.

As a Defense Deployment Strategist, you will be responsible for bridging the gap between cutting‑edge AI research and mission‑critical production. You will lead the charge in deploying Agentic AI - autonomous, reasoning systems - into the heart of defense workflows, ensuring that our nation's most complex decisions are supported by the world’s best technology.

Deployment Strategist

We are looking for a powerhouse executive account leader who understands that winning in the DoW isn’t about a successful 6‑month pilot; it’s about Program of Record integration. You will focus on landing and transitioning high‑stakes prototypes into full‑scale enterprise deployments, navigating the complexities of the Valley of Death by securing executive sponsorship and programmed funding.

This is an individual contributor role with heavy leadership expectations. You are the "CEO of the Account," responsible for the following:

Responsibilities:

• Full‑Spectrum Capture & Quota Ownership: Carry and exceed a multi‑million dollar annual revenue quota. You are responsible for the entire lifecycle: from identifying the top of funnel opportunity and shaping requirements to the final contract award and revenue recognition.
• Tactical Execution: You don’t just delegate; you execute. You will personally draft high‑impact white papers, lead the development of complex proposals, architect deal structures, and navigate the nuances of defense contracting.
• Operational Transition: Once the deal is signed, your job isn’t over. You will continue to lead the account, ensuring that the delivery team (Engagement Managers, Technical PMs, Engineers, and Product) enables mission success. You are the primary point of contact for the customer, ensuring the pilot doesn’t just work, but scales.
• Renewal, Expansion, & Growth: Own the long‑term account strategy. You are responsible for identifying the next use case, securing the follow‑on funding, and driving the 10x growth that turns a single deployment into a department‑wide enterprise standard.
• Direct Agentic Solutioning: Work in the weeds with technical teams and end‑users to co‑design Agentic AI workflows. You must be able to translate a customer’s vision into a specific technical requirement that our engineers can build against.
• SI & Prime Orchestration: In partnership with Scale’s Partner Managers, you will actively manage and negotiate with Tier 1 Systems Integrators (SIs) and Defense Primes to ensure Scale is the agentic AI engine of their larger programs. You will be the lead negotiator for sub‑contracting and teaming agreements.

Requirements:

• Experience: 10+ years of experience in complex enterprise IT sales or business development specifically within the DoW/IC.
• Proven Track Record: You have successfully closed and implemented multi‑year deals exceeding $25M. You know how to get a line item in the budget.
• Domain Expertise: Deep understanding of the DoW’s modernization priorities, specifically in AI/ML, computer vision, or autonomous systems.
• The Valley of Death Navigator: You have a demonstrated ability to transition technology from "cool demo" to "deployed capability" within a major PEO.
• Strategic Network: Existing high‑level relationships across the DoW, with a specific focus on Defense Agencies and enterprise IT, as well as a Rolodex of contacts at the major primes.
• Clearance: Active Top Secret/SCI clearance is strongly preferred.
• Education: BS/BA required; technical degree or MBA preferred.
• Geography: Based in the National Capital Region, with the ability to work out of Scale’s D.C. office 2-3 days a week.
• Travel: Ability to travel 20-30% of the time.

Who you are:

• Mission-Driven: You believe that whoever wins in AI wins the next century, and you want that to be the United States and its allies.
• Relentless: You thrive in the long-game of defense procurement. You aren’t discouraged by bureaucracy; you see it as a puzzle to be solved.
• Adaptive: You can operate in the high‑velocity environment of a Series E startup while maintaining the polish required for the Pentagon.
• The Closer-Operator: You have the executive presence to brief a PEO, but the tactical stamina to spend 10 hours in a SCIF working on a proposal response.
• Radically Accountable: You don’t wait for a marketing lead or a BD specialist to hand you a deal. You build your own funnel, navigate the "No's," and find the creative path to "Yes."
• Technically Credible: You aren’t a software engineer, but you can explain the difference between RAG and Agentic reasoning to a skeptical technical evaluator.

Compensation packages at Scale for eligible roles include base salary, equity, and benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position and may be inclusive of several career levels at Scale; it will be determined during the interview process based on work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, qualifications, interview performance, and relevant education or training. Scale employees in eligible roles are also granted equity‑based compensation, subject to Board of Director approval. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process, and confirm whether the hired role will be eligible for equity grant. You’ll also receive benefits including, but not limited to: comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, a learning and development stipend, and generous PTO. Additionally, this role may be eligible for additional benefits such as a commuter stipend.

The base salary range for this full‑time position in the location of California is:

$203,200 - $254,000 USD

PLEASE NOTE: Our policy requires a 90‑day waiting period before reconsidering candidates for the same role. This allows us to ensure a fair and thorough evaluation of all applicants.

About Us:

At Scale, our mission is to develop reliable AI systems for the world's most important decisions. Our products provide the high‑quality data and full‑stack technologies that power the world's leading models, and help enterprises and governments build, deploy, and oversee AI applications that deliver real impact. We work closely with industry leaders like Meta, Ernst & Young, Mayo Clinic, Time Inc., the Government of Qatar, and U.S. government agencies including the Army and Air Force. We are expanding our team to accelerate the development of AI applications.

We believe that everyone should be able to bring their whole selves to work, which is why we are proud to be an inclusive and equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability status, gender identity or Veteran status.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation in the application or recruiting process due to a disability, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please see the United States Department of Labor's Know Your Rights poster for additional information.

We comply with the United States Department of Labor's Pay Transparency provision.

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