Senior Growth Manager, Navy

NightDragon Acquisition Corp.; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental & Vision Insurance

Time Off

Parental Leave

Competitive Salary

401(k) Plan

Stock Options

Life & Disability Insurance

Pet Insurance

Lunch & Drinks

Job summary

Saronic Technologies is seeking a Senior Growth Manager, Navy to own our Navy growth portfolio and shape opportunities across the Navy enterprise. You will build durable relationships with OPNAV and program offices, drive opportunities through capture to award, and expand our footprint in ASV and related Maritime Advanced Capabilities.

The role requires deep knowledge of Navy acquisition, PPBE/POM cycles, and capability development, with strong leadership in end‑to‑end capture and team

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Political Science, or related; MBA or Master’s preferred.
• 8+ years Navy/DoW business development, program mgmt, or active‑Duty naval service; proven capture or execution experience.
• Relationships with Navy orgs or DIU/COCOMs are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Navy Demand Generation: identify and engage key Navy stakeholders to build awareness and pull for ASVs.
• Pipeline Development: build and own Navy pipeline from shaping to award.
• Relationship Building: cultivate relationships across Navy, primes, and industry.
• Proposal Development & Negotiation: craft tailored proposals and lead contract negotiations.
• Navy Market Intelligence: track budgets, priorities, and unmanned programs for strategy.
• Process Implementation: shape company processes to scale.

Skills

Navy relations

Capture management

Proposal development

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA or Master’s

Job description

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms.

Job Overview

We seek a dynamic Senior Growth Manager, Navy to own our Navy growth portfolio - identifying and shaping new opportunities across the Navy enterprise, building durable relationships with OPNAV, systems commands, Program Acquisition Executive (PAE) offices, and the operating forces, driving opportunities through capture to award, implementing winning internal business processes, and expanding our footprint in the Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV), DoW, and related Maritime Advanced Capability sectors. This role is the tip of the spear for Navy demand generation and requires someone who knows how Navy requirements, resourcing, and acquisition actually connect.

Responsibilities

• Navy Demand Generation: Identify and engage key Navy stakeholders - OPNAV resource sponsors, systems command and program office leadership, warfare development centers, and fleet operators - to build awareness and pull for our ASVs. Develop and execute lead generation strategies that convert Navy interest into funded requirements.

• Pipeline Development: Build and own the Navy pipeline - tracking opportunities from early shaping through award, maintaining call plans against key stakeholders, and ensuring timely follow-through. Create compelling capability materials tailored to Navy mission problems.

• Relationship Building: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships across the Navy customer set, along with partners, primes, and industry stakeholders. Represent Saronic at Navy and maritime industry events building a robust network and identifying business opportunities.

• Proposal Development & Negotiation: Collaborate with internal teams to craft tailored proposals and presentations. Lead contract negotiations that align with our strategic goals and industry standards.

• Navy Market Intelligence: Track Navy budget cycles, POM priorities, force design initiatives, and unmanned surface vessel programs of record. Assess competitors and emerging trends in the ASV industry and use those insights to guide capture strategy and product roadmap decisions.

• Process Implementation: Use your skills and experience to shape the company's business processes as we continue to scale.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Political Science, or a related field; MBA or Master's degree preferred.

• 8+ years of combined experience in Navy or DoW business development, program management, or applicable active‑Duty naval service required - with demonstrable success capturing or executing Navy contracts preferred.

• Substantive experience in at least one (more preferred) of the following Navy organizations, with existing established relationships: OPNAV (N8/N9/N95/N96), NAVSEA and, Navy PAE program offices, SMWDC, NAVWAR, Navy Numbered Fleets, USVRONs, or applicable deployed operational experience. Relationships across DIU, or the COCOMs are a plus.

• Working knowledge of naval mission domains and of how Navy unmanned systems are employed today and could be employed in the future - sufficient to engage credibly with Navy stakeholders.

• Deep familiarity with Navy acquisition pathways, PPBE and POM resourcing cycles, program office structures, the operational requirements development process, and DoW regulations and compliance.

• Demonstrated ability to shape and lead complex captures end to end - ensuring growth equities underpin capture strategy through business validation and qualification, gate reviews, proposal development, final proposal revisions, and contract negotiation.

• Excellent written and oral communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills - able to develop and deliver compelling executive briefings and pitches in support of proposal responses.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoW security clearance; active Secret clearance required, with Top Secret/SCI eligibility preferred.

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced startup environment.

• Willingness to travel as needed to meet business objectives.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

• Occasional standing and walking within the office

• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment

• Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports

• Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies

• Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages)

Benefits

• Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services
• Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents
• Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check‑ups, orthodontics, and vision care
• Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents
• Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays
• Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents
• Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance‑based bonuses
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match
• Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s success
• Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long‑term disability coverage
• Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline
• Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office

Saronic CCAA Notice for Candidates and California Employees

If this role is based in the United States, it requires access to export‑controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a “U.S. Person”: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.

We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.