The Mission Development Manager will execute growth strategies for national security deployments, focusing on converting pilots to larger defense projects.
Vannevar is a defense technology company building AI to deter our adversaries. In the 21st century, conflict moves at algorithmic speed and foresight equals firepower. Our agentic AI is purpose-built to compete with China—from cross-Strait conflict to gray zone coercion. Trained on the most mission-relevant datasets in defense, our technology models adversary behavior, simulates campaigns, and recommends the best course of action to decision makers. Our AI systems are some of the most trusted in the industry and actively used on the front lines of the Indo-Pacific to keep the peace and save lives.
Exceptional technology starts with exceptional people. Vannevar is a small agile team combining world-class engineers with veteran strategists who bring deep expertise in defense and tradecraft. We’re building a company defined by mission impact, user empathy, and disciplined growth. In just three years, we grew from $3M to $80M in ARR, achieved early profitability, and reached unicorn status—proving that disruption doesn’t require an ego, and staying power doesn’t mean standing still.
We are looking for a Mission Development Manager to pursue go-to market strategies and deliver significant growth outcomes at Vannevar. This position will report to a Senior Mission Development Manager aligned to one of our growth pods. These pods focus on launching foothold pilots, converting pilots into larger projects, and embedding those projects within existing programs or inventing new ones within the national security space.
As a Mission Development Manager, you will lead execution of a growth strategy for expanding current deployments and developing new national security deployments. The intended growth trajectory of this role is to develop into a Senior Manager leading a pod or sets of pods to deliver on major growth outcomes within 12-18 months of joining the company.
What you'll do
What we're looking for- Execute on strategies. Pursue go-to market strategies that will drive a set of deployments from new footholds to embed in current defense programs and develop into new category-defining programs.
- Deliver growth outcomes. Execute on this strategy with your pod to deliver growth from concept through contract close.
- 2+ years delivering growth within a technology or products context.
- Demonstrated ability to convert pilots.
- Experience working within Homeland Security missions, with a preference for candidates who have interagency or law enforcement (LE) experience.
- Experience and intuition to growing defense product deployments from small-scale pilots into larger projects with the Department of Defense.
- Mission domain expertise in national security technology.
- Hunger to work in a national security startup where you can build a team and drive significant growth through creative approaches, deep understanding of our technologies and their applications to strategic competition with nation states, and relentless ground game.
- U.S. Persons status with at least a current US DoD Secret-level clearance is required as this position will require the ability to access U.S. only data systems.
What we offer
The salary range for this position is $170,000-$190,000 + bonus + equity + 401K match. Within the range, individual pay is determined by experience, relevant education, and/or training.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 100% remote first culture. You can work from anywhere in the US and all full time employees have WeWork access
- Unlimited PTO including competitive vacation and holiday schedules
- Lifestyle stipends - Monthly mental health, wellness & fitness stipend, in-home office setup stipend and family planning assistance
- Salary top-up during military reserve duty
- Fully paid parental leave
- Child and pet care reimbursement during travel
Vannevar Labs is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.
We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply, even if you don't feel like you're a perfect fit. If you're passionate about contributing to our mission, we'd love to hear from you!
IMPORTANT NOTICE
We are committed to protecting the privacy of all applicants. Official emails from the company will come from an @vannevarlabs.com domain. Under no circumstances will a legitimate representative from our company contact you to request passwords, financial information, or other sensitive personal data. Please be vigilant of potential scams.
We are committed to protecting the privacy of all applicants. Official emails from the company will come from an @vannevarlabs.com domain. Under no circumstances will a legitimate representative from our company contact you to request passwords, financial information, or other sensitive personal data. Please be vigilant of potential scams.
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