Strategic Defense Growth & Solutions Leader

Defcon AI; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 225,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and equity package

Employer-paid health insurance (family

Unlimited PTO

Parental leave (14 weeks)

Flexible work environment

Job summary

DEFCON AI is seeking a Senior Leader to build and lead our Defense Growth Organization in the Washington, DC area. You will own the defense growth strategy, identify mission challenges with government stakeholders, and guide cross-functional teams to develop new offerings from concept through award.

You will engage senior leaders, translate problems into executable concepts, and shape prototypes, pilots, and programs.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in defense, national security, government, consulting, or tech leadership roles.
• Proven success identifying and developing new DoD business opportunities.
• Strong understanding of defense missions, planning, acquisition pathways, and funding mechanisms.
• Ability to engage senior leaders and uncover mission needs not yet formalized into requirements.
• Experience developing solution concepts and business cases for complex operational challenges.

Responsibilities

• Lead the defense growth strategy and build a durable pipeline across contracts, OTAs, SBIRs, and other pathways.
• Engage senior military and civilian stakeholders to identify emerging challenges and unmet needs.
• Translate customer problems into executable solution concepts and programs.
• Collaborate with technical teams to shape new offerings, pilots, and programs.
• Influence leadership on market trends, customer priorities, and growth opportunities.
• Establish and manage strategic relationships with government, primes, tech firms, and research institutions.
• Build and lead a high-performing growth organization as the company scales.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Relationship building

Active Secret Clearance

Job description

DEFCON AI is seeking a Senior Leader to build and lead our Defense Growth Organization in the Washington, DC area. You will own the defense growth strategy, identify mission challenges with government stakeholders, and guide cross-functional teams to develop new offerings from concept through award.

You will engage senior leaders, translate problems into executable concepts, and shape prototypes, pilots, and programs.