# Senior Mission Manager - Clearance Required
**Company:** [Vannevar](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/vannevar)
**Location:** Raleigh, NC, Tampa, FL, Washington, DC
**Salary:** $180K-$220K
**Experience:** 15+ years
**Skills:** AI, Agent-Based Systems, Software Systems, Cyber, Information Warfare, Isr, Dod Clearance, Top Secret Clearance, Program Management, Acquisition
**Posted:** 2026-04-21
> Senior leader driving adoption of AI technology in government defense programs by leading engagements with program offices, shaping pilots, pitching solutions, and converting them to funded programs. Requires 15-20+ years defense experience and Top Secret clearance.
## Job Description
## What you’ll do

- Lead engagements with program offices (PEOs, PMWs, PMOs, and equivalent organizations) to identify mission problems that Vannevar Labs’ technology can solve.
- Translate program needs into technical narratives, clearly explaining how our software and agent-based capabilities map to requirements, constraints, and outcomes.
- Scope and shape program-based pilots, defining objectives, success criteria, timelines, and pathways to scale.
- Pitch the technology with credibility, leveraging your mission and domain background to build trust with program managers and technical authorities.
- Navigate programmatic realities, including requirements development, budgeting cycles, contracting pathways, and stakeholder coordination.
- Partner closely with product managers and engineers to ensure mission context is accurately reflected in technical scope, tradeoffs, and delivery plans.
- Convert successful pilots into sustained programs, helping program offices justify follow-on funding and broader adoption.
- Represent Vannevar Labs within the program ecosystem as a mission-credible, technically fluent partner.

## What we’re looking for

- 15–20+ years of experience in government or defense missions, typically as a retired O5/O6 or senior enlisted or civilian equivalent
- Deep expertise in a specific mission or technical domain (e.g., cyber, information warfare, ISR, networks, operational intelligence, warfare systems/command and control).
- Strong ability to scope, pitch, and sell technical solutions to senior government stakeholders — not just explain missions, but connect them to software capabilities.
- Proven experience navigating programmatic realities, including budgets, requirements, authorities, timelines, and stakeholder dynamics.
- Sufficient technical fluency to:
  - Understand modern software systems and **agent-based approaches**
  - Partner effectively with product and engineering teams
  - Translate complex concepts into clear, mission-relevant narratives
- Demonstrated scrappiness and bias toward action — comfortable operating in ambiguity and pushing programs forward without perfect structure.
- High enthusiasm for building something new and shaping how cutting-edge technology is adopted inside government.
- **Bonus**: of having acquisition, resource sponsor, or program manager experience.

## What we offer

**Competitive Salary**
The salary range for this position is **$180,000 - $220,000 + equity**. Within the range, individual pay is determined by experience, relevant education, and/or training.

**Comprehensive Benefits**
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Remote friendly with WeWork access
- Unlimited PTO, shared downtime during the federal holiday calendar, and company-wide off time at the end of each year
- 401(k) match
- Lifestyle & wellbeing stipends
- Salary top-up during military reserve duty
- Fully paid parental leave
- Child and pet care reimbursement during travel
**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/senior-mission-manager-clearance-required-at-vannevar-70d1a205-4fa9-4c36-b41e-21cad01bf39c
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/senior-mission-manager-clearance-required-at-vannevar-70d1a205-4fa9-4c36-b41e-21cad01bf39c