# Mission Director - SOCOM

**Company:** [Applied Intuition](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/applied-intuition)
**Location:** Arlington, VA
**Role:** Business Development
**Salary:** $200k – $300k/yr
**Experience:** 15+ years
**Skills:** socom, ppbe, defense acquisition, Business Development, strategic growth, requirements shaping, c4isr, autonomy, mission planning, simulation, security clearance, congressional appropriations
**Posted:** 2026-08-06

> Leads strategic growth and senior customer engagement for Applied Intuition’s SOCOM portfolio, shaping special operations defense opportunities well before procurement. Requires 15–25 years supporting SOCOM or SOF, deep acquisition and PPBE expertise, senior stakeholder relationships, and an active Secret or Top Secret clearance.

## Job Description

## 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.

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