Targeting SME

Doist; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Onsite / Remote / Flexible work orhybr

Relocation assistance

Referral bonuses

Performance bonuses

Life insurance and disability coverage

Technology home office setup stipend

Professional certification reimburse-

Job summary

Spear AI seeks a mission-focused analyst to support Joint Targeting Cycle work for U.S. defense objectives. You will work across operations and development teams, applying advanced target development and system analysis to influence capability direction.

This role requires active clearance and frequent collaboration with senior operators and engineers in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment. You will travel periodically to support CCMDs and operational units, bridging the gap between

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance; ability to obtain a CI polygraph.
• Operational experience supporting the Joint Targeting Cycle at a combatant command.
• Deep understanding of intelligence support to targeting and target development.
• Experience in CCMD J2T/J2C/J23 or equivalent.
• Advanced target development and target system analysis experience.
• Ability to bridge between operations and development teams and translate targeting needs.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Willingness to travel approximately every 30 days.
• Strong written and verbal communication across technical and leadership audiences.

Responsibilities

• Bring combatant command targeting expertise to bear across the Joint Targeting Cycle.
• Identify integration opportunities between workflows, data sources, and AI-enabled capabilities.
• Apply advanced target development and system analysis to shape capability direction.
• Translate operational targeting processes into developer-friendly workflows and user stories.
• Communicate architectural tradeoffs, risks, constraints, and recommendations clearly.
• Coordinate across operational users, platform owners, and technical development teams.
• Maintain awareness of theater-level targeting coordination across joint and service organizations.
• Work with joint targeting tools, intelligence platforms, and governance structures.

Skills

TS/SCI clearance

CI polygraph

Joint Targeting Cycle

Target development

CCMD targeting

US Citizenship

Travel willingness

Communication skills

Weaponeering

Agile/IC experience

Classified environments

IC/MI experience

Job description

About Spear AISpear AI is a growing defense contracting company dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions that support our nation’s security. As we expand, we’re building a culture where innovation meets mission-critical work. We operate with a flat organizational structure that empowers every team member to make an impact, collaborate directly with leadership, and contribute to projects that matter. Whether you’re joining our Hardware, Software, or Services division, you’ll work alongside talented professionals who are committed to excellence and advancing the capabilities that keep our nation safe and secure.Spear AI builds sonobuoy sensors that are deployed into the water and collect edge data. We also work with the U.S. Navy to collect and process their SONAR data. You’ll have an opportunity to work on real-world projects that directly impact warfighter capabilities and mission success.

What you’ll do

We’re a small team wearing many hats, and you’d have a wide variety of responsibilities that include:

• Bring combatant command targeting expertise to bear across the Joint Targeting Cycle
• Identify integration opportunities between operational workflows, data sources, and AI-enabled capabilities
• Apply advanced, systems-level target development (target system analysis) to shape capability direction
• Translate operational targeting processes into developer-consumable workflows, requirements, and user stories
• Communicate architectural tradeoffs, technical risks, integration constraints, and recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
• Coordinate across operational users, platform owners, and technical development teams
• Maintain awareness of theater-level targeting coordination across joint and service organizations
• Work with joint targeting tools, intelligence platforms, and data environments, and their governance and ownership structures

Important Skills

• Active TS/SCI required; must be able to obtain and maintain a Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph.
• Demonstrated operational experience supporting the Joint Targeting Cycle at a combatant command (required).
• Deep understanding of intelligence support to targeting, including object-based intelligence and target development.
• Experience in COCOM targeting support roles such as CCMD J2T/J2C/J23 or equivalent.
• Advanced target development and target system analysis experience.
• Ability to move fluidly between the operations floor and the development team and turn a targeting problem into something engineers can build.
• US Citizenship required.
• Ability to support periodic travel (approximately every 30 days) to CCMDs, service components, operational units, and industry/vendor locations.
• Ability to operate in fast-paced, multi-vendor, government-led development environments with evolving priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across technical developers, operational users, senior leaders, and external vendors.

Nice to have

• CENTCOM targeting experience (ideal).
• Advanced target development or target system analysis experience at DIA or a CCMD J2 (highly preferred).
• Familiarity with weaponeering workflows and target-to-effects integration.
• Existing relationships with operational platform or data owners (highly desired).
• Experience supporting DoD software, AI/ML, or operational capability development programs.
• Experience in classified operational environments and cross-domain data constraints.
• Familiarity with Agile development practices, rapid capability delivery, and iterative user-feedback cycles.
• Military Intelligence or Intelligence Community experience.

Why work with us

• We ship —We don’t work on 18-month projects thatare irrelevant beforethey’realready finished.
• Ourwork hasimpact —We buildproducts thatare deployed to U.S. submarines and integrate with the sonobuoys we manufacture.
• We’re growing responsibly — We have the resources to hire a lot more people, but we don’t want to build a massive team of people who don’t share our values.
• We’re profitable — We aren’t burning through cash trying to make the business work. But we also have investors who believe in us and are committed to our success.
• We care about doing great work — You don’t need permission to sweat the details here.
• We don’t take ourselves too seriously — We’re building products that make the world safer.

What we offer

• Unlimited PTO — Take the time you need to recharge and maintain work-life balance.
• Dedicated Sick Time — Your health and well-being come first.
• Comprehensive Health & Benefits – Medical, dental, and vision coverage to keep you and your family protected.
• 11 Paid Holidays — Enjoy time off throughout the year to celebrate and spend time with loved ones.
• Professional Development — Educational opportunities and resources to help you grow your skills and advance your career.
• Collaborative Environment — Work directly with leadership in our flat organizational structure, where your ideas and contributions matter.
• Mission-Driven Work — Contribute to projects that directly support national security and make a real-world impact.
• Growth Opportunities — Join us during an exciting expansion phase where you can help shape our future.

Additional benefit opportunities when you choose Spear AI

• 401(k) with company match.
• Onsite / Remote / Flexible work arrangements or hybrid options (position dependent).
• Relocation assistance (position dependent).
• Referral bonuses.
• Performance bonuses.Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Technology home office setup stipend.
• Professional certification reimbursement (position dependent).

Compensation

We offer competitive compensation tailored to your experience, location, and the impact you’ll make. We’re committed to equitable pay and will share a range aligned to your level and geography during the hiring process. In accordance with state law, candidates in jurisdictions such as CA, CO, WA, NY, and others, where applicable, will be provided a good‑faith salary range upon request and throughout the hiring process. This is a full‑time, exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not eligible for overtime pay. Compensation for this position is provided on a salaried basis and is not subject to reduction based on hours worked. At Spear AI, you’ll find more than just a job; you’ll join a mission‑driven team where your work directly contributes to national security. Our flat organizational structure means your voice matters, your ideas reach leadership, and your impact is visible. As we grow, we’re committed to building robust processes and infrastructure that support both our mission and our people. We value collaboration, continuous improvement, and the expertise each team member brings to the table. If you’re looking for a place to grow professionally while working on projects that truly matter, we’d love to hear from you.

Equal Opportunity

Spear AI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.