Mission Director - SOCOM

Responsibilities

• Cultivate senior-level, trust-based relationships with USSOCOM leadership, Program Managers (O-6+), requirements officers, and innovation leads within SOCOM, USASOC, AFSOC, MARSOC, NAVSPECWARCOM, and key program offices.
• Shape opportunities 12–18 months in advance by influencing requirements, acquisition strategies, and program structures before they reach the public domain.
• Lead strategic customer discovery to understand long-term capability roadmaps, budget trajectories across PPBE cycles, and political dynamics within the special operations community.
• Build credibility as Applied Intuition’s senior voice on special operations technology and translate operator problems into technology requirements that drive program shaping.
• Maintain backchannel sources of information across the special operations community and establish senior-level escalation paths for strategic deals facing political or programmatic obstacles.
• Make pursue-versus-walk-away decisions and partner with Account Executives, Capture Managers, and Engineers to convert strategic shaping into winning pipeline.

Requirements

• 15–25 years of experience in or around SOCOM and special operations, such as military O-5/O-6 experience with a SOF operational background, GS-15/SES experience in SOCOM acquisition or requirements, or senior industry business development/strategic growth leadership supporting SOF.
• Executive-level expertise in the PPBE cycle, SOCOM’s unique acquisition authorities, including Sections 1202 and 1208, and Congressional authorization and appropriation dynamics.
• Proven track record shaping requirements for multi-million-dollar defense programs 12–18 or more months before RFP release, ideally in autonomy, mission planning, simulation, or C4ISR domains.
• Specific, warm relationships within USSOCOM, USASOC, AFSOC, MARSOC, NAVSPECWARCOM, or key SOCOM program offices, with the ability to meet O-6+ decision makers and operators.
• Deep understanding of SOF capability gaps and the operational challenges of fighting in denied environments.
• Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance; TS/SCI preferred.

Nice to Have

• Experience as a Program Manager or innovation lead at SOFWERX, SOCOM J5, SOCOM J9, or a service-level SOF innovation cell.
• Direct operational experience in special operations forces, such as Green Berets, SEALs, PJs/CROs, Rangers, Marine Raiders, 160th SOAR, or another SOF unit.
• Experience in a similar strategic growth or mission director role at a defense technology startup serving the SOF community.
• Familiarity with autonomy programs, mission planning and rehearsal systems, synthetic training environments, or advanced C4ISR capabilities relevant to SOF.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range: $175,000–$250,000 USD annually.
• Total compensation may include base salary, equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k) retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off.
• Benefits may vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change.