Mission Lead, Protection Ops - Defense AI (Arlington)

Sitreps; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental benefits

401(k)

Commuting benefits

Lunch when in office

Job summary

Early-Stage Defense AI in Arlington, VA seeks a mission-focused leader to stand up a protection-focused effort in defense software. You will lead the mission side, translating force protection needs into actionable requirements for engineers to build against, focusing on sensor-to-shooter integration, counter-UAS, and antiterrorism planning.

This role requires in-person work in Arlington and strong domain credibility with Army protection cells.

Qualifications

• Army protection background at mid-career level (MAJ/LTC or GS-13/14 equivalent).
• Field Artillery, Air Defense Artillery, or engineering background.
• Hands-on base defense and protection experience at operational/strategic level.
• Deep knowledge of sensor-to-shooter networks, homeland defense or protection planning, counter-UAS, and antiterrorism.
• Experience in a G3/J3 protection cell or force protection role with a DoD entity or similar.
• Startup fit: high ownership, comfort with ambiguity, and ability to move fast without micro-prioritizing.
• Ability to work in person in Arlington, VA.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mission side of a new protection effort, from first customer meeting through scoping, design input, training, and ongoing support.
• Translate protection problems into clear requirements our engineers can build against.
• Work directly with protection cells, installation leaders, and operational staffs to understand planning and decision making.
• Bring protection policy, plans, and SOPs into the product so it fits existing command workflows.
• Travel to customer sites and events (up to 20%), then share learnings with the team.
• Help shape future protection offerings in the product roadmap.

Skills

Army protection background

G3/J3 experience

sensor-to-shooter knowledge

base defense experience

counter-UAS

antiterrorism planning

startup mindset

Job description

Early-Stage Defense AI in Arlington, VA seeks a mission-focused leader to stand up a protection-focused effort in defense software. You will lead the mission side, translating force protection needs into actionable requirements for engineers to build against, focusing on sensor-to-shooter integration, counter-UAS, and antiterrorism planning.

This role requires in-person work in Arlington and strong domain credibility with Army protection cells.