Manager – Defense Programs

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Oversee and coordinate activities for early-stage defense technology initiatives, including timelines, milestones, deliverables, budgets, and risk management.

• Evaluate program performance, pinpoint challenges, and propose solutions.

• Collaborate with technical teams, government clients, and external partners.

• Create program documentation, status reports, briefings, and decision-support materials.

• Assist with federal contracting and acquisition processes, including acquisition planning, requirements formulation, and contract implementation.

• Investigate acquisition strategies, contracting options, solicitation prerequisites, and procurement opportunities.

• Aid in the development of SOW, PWS, SOO, and associated acquisition documents.

• Monitor acquisition timelines, solicitation needs, deliverables, and compliance requirements.

• Identify and assess business development prospects that align with Anno.ai's technologies and strategic priorities.

• Support capture planning, proposal formulation, and responses to government solicitations and RFIs.

• Conduct research on market trends, customers, and competitors.

• Prepare customer presentations, capability statements, proposals, and strategic briefings.

• Cultivate relationships with government stakeholders, industry partners, and potential clients.

• Maintain opportunity pipelines and regularly update leadership.

• Convert government and military operational requirements into actionable business, technical, and programmatic recommendations.

• Work collaboratively with leadership, engineering, operations, and business development teams.

• Take ownership of assigned projects and deliverables while enhancing processes and outcomes.

• Adapt to evolving priorities within a collaborative, results-driven startup environment.

⛳️ Requirements

• 5-10 years of relevant professional experience in defense programs, federal acquisitions, government contracting, business development, program management, or a related field; equivalent military or government experience is also acceptable.

• Proficient understanding of DoD organizations, missions, acquisition processes, contracting practices, or program management activities.

• Proven experience in coordinating projects or programs, managing deliverables, tracking milestones, and collaborating with multiple stakeholders.

• Experience in supporting federal acquisition, contracting, business development, or government program operations.

• Ability to independently research complex subjects, analyze data, identify risks and opportunities, and formulate practical recommendations.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience in creating professional reports, presentations, briefings, proposals, or decision-support materials.

• Strong organizational and project management abilities, capable of managing competing priorities, meeting deadlines, and maintaining attention to detail.

• Demonstrated initiative, problem-solving capabilities, and ownership of assigned responsibilities.

• Ability to establish effective working relationships and collaborate with technical, operational, business, and government stakeholders.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with the ability to quickly learn additional business development and program management tools.

• Sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive, proprietary, or mission-related information.

• Capacity to work both independently and collaboratively within a remote, fast-paced, mission-oriented team.

• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, including U.S. citizenship.

• Willingness to travel up to 20% of the time.

• Preferred: direct experience in DoD acquisition, contracting, requirements development, resource management, program management, or operational planning.

• Preferred: familiarity with PWS, SOW, SOO, FAR, DFARS, contracting vehicles, OTAs, or SBIR/STTR programs.

• Preferred: experience in defense business development, capture management, proposal creation, customer engagement, or opportunity assessment.

• Preferred: background in responding to government RFIs, RFPs, or federal solicitations.

• Preferred: experience with market, customer, competitor, or opportunity research.

• Preferred: skills in translating military operational requirements or government needs into acquisition strategies, program plans, or business recommendations.

• Preferred: experience in monitoring program schedules, budgets, risks, deliverables, and stakeholder commitments.

• Preferred: strong technical writing abilities.

• Preferred: knowledge of autonomous systems, unmanned platforms, artificial intelligence, data analytics, or emerging defense technologies.

• Preferred: bachelor's degree, military training, professional certification, or relevant coursework in a related field.

• Preferred: experience in a startup or small business environment.

• Preferred: active or recently held U.S. Government security clearance.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary.

• Equity.

• Comprehensive benefits package.

• 401k with a 5% company match.

• Paid holidays and a generous paid time off policy.

• Paid leave programs.

• Patent bonus program.

• Employee referral bonus program.

• Learning and development opportunities.

• Chance to work with a team of highly skilled, creative, and motivated individuals.