Mission Systems Director

Vannevar is a defense technology company building AI to deter adversaries, focusing on modeling adversary behavior, simulating campaigns, and recommending actions for decision makers. The company has experienced rapid growth and is committed to mission impact and innovation in defense.

Location: Remote (US)

Responsibilities

• Advise on program structures, acquisition pathways, funding lines, risk areas, and modernization priorities.
• Identify where and how Vannevar can support programs through capability gaps, integration challenges, or modernization timelines.
• Inform long-range strategy around $200M+ programs, major new starts, re-competes, and technical upgrade cycles.
• Leverage network across PEOs, PMWs, and partner organizations to open doors, deepen trust, and accelerate customer understanding.
• Engage senior acquisition leaders to understand constraints, mission needs, and impact opportunities.
• Navigate program offices with fluency—knowing decision-makers, program movement, and decision processes.
• Partner with the Senior Growth Lead to influence requirements early, shape concept of operations, and align offerings to program needs.
• Provide context to position Vannevar uniquely versus primes, integrators, and vendors.
• Support bid/no-bid decisions, capture strategy, teaming, and price-to-win considerations.
• Map out acquisition timelines, key decision points, POM cycles, reprogramming windows, and budget patterns.
• Translate multi-year strategies into actionable near-term opportunities.
• Provide internal teams with program office insights on integration, testing, sustainment, risk, and fielding.
• Ensure offerings resonate with acquisition leaders and align with program realities.

Requirements

• Former PEO, Deputy PEO, Senior PMW lead, ACAT I/II PM, or equivalent Senior Program Manager.
• Experience navigating JCIDS, DAS, budgeting cycles, POM builds, milestone decisions, integration pipelines, T&E, and sustainment pathways.
• Strong network across program offices, technical authorities, warfare centers, primes, and integrators.
• Familiarity with software, networks, cyber, or mission systems capabilities development, evaluation, integration, and procurement.
• Experience partnering with industry or evaluating proposals—guiding strategy, shaping, and positioning from the government perspective.
• Strong communication skills—translating complex acquisition and program realities into clear guidance.
• Desire to shape new initiatives, operating comfortably in ambiguity with a bias toward action.

Benefits

• Competitive salary (salary + equity).
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Remote friendly with WeWork access.
• Unlimited PTO, shared downtime during federal holidays, and end-of-year off time.
• 401(k) match.
• Lifestyle & wellbeing stipends.
• Salary top-up during military reserve duty.
• Fully paid parental leave.
• Child and pet care reimbursement during travel.

Additional Information

• U.S. Persons status with at least a current Top Secret US DoD or IC clearance is required.
• Vannevar is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
• Official communication from the company will come from an @vannevarlabs.com email domain. Beware of scams.