Head of Defense

Navier; Washington; On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Sick time

401k

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Job summary

Navier, a forward-looking maritime company, seeks a strategic Head of Defense to drive new defense contracts and manage partnerships. You will align internal teams with government procurement processes and lead engagements with the US DoD and allied entities.

Lead initiatives to integrate cutting-edge technology into defense applications, navigate ITAR/compliance, and differentiate Navier in a competitive landscape through strong negotiation and stakeholder management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in the defense industry, with a proven track record of securing and managing multi-million-dollar contracts, particularly with the US Navy or similar entities.
• Experience owning the lifecycle of a deal from identification to submission, and sometimes post-award, while aligning internal teams to develop compelling proposals.
• Deep understanding of government procurement processes and contracting vehicles (e.g., FAR/DFARS, GSA schedules). Familiarity with ITAR, EAR, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Strong network within the defense industry, including relationships with key decision-makers in the US DoD.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage complex, high-stakes relationships.
• Analytical and strategic mindset, capable of leveraging data and market insights to drive growth.
• Proficiency in contract management tools, CRM platforms, and relevant compliance technologies.

Responsibilities

• Identify, target, and secure defense contracts with the US DoD (US Navy, SOCOM, ATFP, CBP, Coast Guard etc) and allied international organizations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for defense clients: manage existing contracts, ensuring compliance with all terms and draft additional contracts or terms of engagement.
• Collaborate with Navier’s engineering leadership team to identify and capitalize on opportunities for integrating cutting-edge technology into defense applications. Identify industry trends, competitor activities, and emerging opportunities in the defense sector.
• Manage relationships with contractors and coordinate closely with Navier’s defense advisory board to develop strategy to expand Navier’s defense footprint and navigate complex procurement landscapes.
• Ensure all defense-related activities adhere to local and international regulations, including ITAR and other compliance frameworks.
• Perform competitor analysis by mapping out who else might bid, and strategize how to differentiate

Skills

Strategic mindset

Negotiation

Communication

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Contract management tools

CRM platforms

Compliance technologies

Job description

About Us:

At Navier, we are building America’s next-generation maritime company. Our mission is to make waterways as accessible as our highways and to build the most compelling, zero-emission marine vessels that enable a new era of clean waterborne transportation. We have recently launched N30, America’s first and the world’s longest range electric hydrofoiling boat. N30 is 10x more efficient than traditional gas boats, revolutionizing the way we move goods and people on the water and unlocking a new form of scalable water transportation for 46% of the world’s population living in congested coastal cities.

We are an adventurous, close-knit team backed by some of the most prominent tech leaders and well known venture firms in Silicon Valley. Our leaders are MIT, Berkeley and CMU graduates with extensive expertise in aerospace, maritime, autonomous systems and robotics. Join us as we embark on the next phase of exciting growth!

Position Overview :

Navier is seeking a strategic and results-driven Head of Defense to spearhead efforts in sourcing new defense contracts and managing existing partnerships. This leader will play a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth in the defense sector, bringing an understanding of the sector’s departments and processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify, target, and secure defense contracts with the US DoD (US Navy, SOCOM, ATFP, CBP, Coast Guard etc) and allied international organizations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for defense clients: manage existing contracts, ensuring compliance with all terms and draft additional contracts or terms of engagement.
• Collaborate with Navier’s engineering leadership team to identify and capitalize on opportunities for integrating cutting-edge technology into defense applications. Identify industry trends, competitor activities, and emerging opportunities in the defense sector.
• Manage relationships with contractors and coordinate closely with Navier’s defense advisory board to develop strategy to expand Navier’s defense footprint and navigate complex procurement landscapes.
• Ensure all defense-related activities adhere to local and international regulations, including ITAR and other compliance frameworks.
• Perform competitor analysis by mapping out who else might bid, and strategize how to differentiate

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in the defense industry, with a proven track record of securing and managing multi-million-dollar contracts, particularly with the US Navy or similar entities.
• Experience owning the lifecycle of a deal from identification to submission, and sometimes post-award, while aligning internal teams to develop compelling proposals.
• Deep understanding of government procurement processes and contracting vehicles (e.g., FAR/DFARS, GSA schedules). Familiarity with compliance frameworks, including ITAR, EAR, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Strong network within the defense industry, including relationships with key decision-makers in the US DoD.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage complex, high-stakes relationships.
• Analytical and strategic mindset, capable of leveraging data and market insights to drive growth. Proficiency in contract management tools, CRM platforms, and relevant compliance technologies.

Experience:

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Prior military service or defense contractor experience is a plus.
• Familiarity with international defense contracting is highly desirable. Experience with maritime or aerospace defense systems is a plus.
• Proficiency in contract management tools and CRM platforms.

What we offer:

All our positions offer a compensation package that includes base salary and benefits.

• Benefits include PTO, Sick Time, 401k and 100% paid Medical, Dental and Vision coverage for the employee.

Navier’s pay ranges are informed and defined through professional-grade salary surveys and compensation data sources. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position.