Mission Director - Aerial Combat

Mission Director For Aerial Combat

The Mission Director for Aerial Combat serves as the senior relationship and strategic shaping lead for Applied Intuition's aerial combat portfolio, with particular focus on our Drone Stack campaign. Reporting to the Head of Growth, you will be responsible for identifying and shaping strategic opportunities within aerial combat mission areas, building deep credibility with senior government stakeholders, and positioning Applied Intuition as the autonomy software provider of choice for group 1-3 unmanned aerial systems.

You will operate as an executive-level expert who understands the problem set, the capability gaps, and the decision makers across Air Force, Army, Combatant Commands, and SOCOM aerial combat portfolios.

At Applied Intuition, you will:

• Cultivate senior-level trust-based relationships with PEOs, Program Managers (O-6+), requirements officers, and CTO offices within US Air Force PEO ISR SOF, NAVAIR, SOCOM (Defense Autonomous Warfare Group), and US Army PM UAS
• Shape opportunities 12-18 months in advance by influencing requirements, acquisition strategies, and program structures well 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 aerial combat community
• Open doors and build deep credibility as Applied Intuition's senior voice on aerial combat autonomy, translating operational warfighter problems into technology requirements that drive program shaping
• Maintain back channel sources of information across the aerial combat community and weapons community; and establish senior-level escalation paths when strategic deals encounter political or programmatic obstacles
• Make critical 'pursue vs. walk away' decisions and partner with Account Executives, Capture Managers, and Engineers to convert strategic shaping into a winning pipeline.

We're looking for someone who has:

• 15–25 years of experience in or around DoD aerial combat operations and acquisition (Military O-5/O-6 with operational aviation background, GS-15/SES in acquisition or requirements, or senior Industry BD/strategic growth leadership)
• Executive-level expertise in and knowledge of the PPBE cycle, the POM process, and how to navigate Congressional authorization/appropriation dynamics
• Specific, warm relationships within US Air Force PEO ISR SOF, NAVAIR, SOCOM (particularly Defense Autonomous Warfare Group), or US Army PM UAS
• Deep understanding of aerial combat capability gaps and force structure challenges and comfort operating at the 'white space' stage of programs, identifying opportunities that don't yet have formal names, budget lines, or acquisition strategies
• Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance

Nice to have:

• Prior experience as a Program Manager at DARPA, DIU, AFWERX, Army Applications Lab, or SOFWERX
• Deep familiarity with DoD autonomy programs or direct operational experience with group 1-3 unmanned aerial systems in combat or training environments
• Track record of successfully positioning commercial technology for government adoption in the autonomy domain

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off.

Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

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