Lead development and execution of a comprehensive USMC capture strategy across Shield AI products. Identify and prioritize strategic opportunities, build trusted senior USMC relationships, serve as principal USMC interface, anticipate policy and budget priorities, and shape Marine Corps concepts and acquisition approaches to influence future autonomy, AI, and unmanned systems adoption.
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
What you'll do:
Develop and execute a comprehensive USMC capture strategy integrating all SAI products.
Identify, qualify, and prioritize strategic opportunities aligned with USMC enterprise priorities.
Establish and maintain trusted relationships with senior leaders across USMC — including key stakeholders within HQMC, the relevant Navy acquisition offices, the Deputy Commandant -Aviation, and other critical and influential Marine Corps headquarters.
Serve as Shield AI’s principal interface for enterprise-level USMC engagements, ensuring a unified message and coordinated strategy.
Anticipate and interpret policy, budget, and technology priorities emerging from HQMC translating them into actionable capture strategies and investment focus areas while supporting the teams' execution of service-focused capture.
Shape and influence Marine Corps concepts, roadmaps, and acquisition approaches that define future autonomy, AI, and unmanned systems adoption.
The Strategic Capture Director/Senior Director - USMC will lead the development and execution of Shield AI’s long-term business development and capture strategy focused on the United States Marine Corps.
This individual will drive Shield AI’s engagement and alignment with enterprise-level defense priorities, modernization initiatives, and Marine Corps transformation efforts — shaping strategic growth opportunities that advance the company’s impact across the joint force.
Measures of success (First 6–12 Months):
- Established relationships with relevant operational commands, requirements developers, and acquisition offices
- Create/update existing capture plan and qualify programmed resource streams for Shield AI products in line with operational force needs
- Influence the production of future requirements and solicitations favoring Shield AI product offerings
Required qualifications:
- 10+ years of experience in business development, strategy, or capture within the Department of War ecosystem, with a focus on USMC enterprise-level engagements.
- Deep understanding of USMC organizational structures, acquisition systems, and decision-making processes at the Secretariat and Joint levels.
- Demonstrated success leading major captures ($50M+ value) or shaping large-scale defense initiatives through the full business development lifecycle.
- Proven ability to influence and communicate effectively with senior USMC stakeholders.
- Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills, with demonstrated ability to collaborate across technical, operational, and policy teams.
- Active Secret clearance (Top Secret preferred).
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with emerging technologies in autonomy, artificial intelligence (AI), command and control (C2), unmanned systems (UAS), or ISR.
- Prior military, government, or industry experience supporting USMC efforts.
- Advanced degree in business, public policy, engineering, or a related field.
Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
###
Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
Similar Jobs at Shield AI
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Support implementation and monitoring of FAR/DFARS/CAS compliance controls, assist policy and control documentation, participate in internal reviews and audit readiness, prepare government filings, produce compliance reports and dashboards, monitor regulatory updates, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Lead strategic technical sourcing for aerospace, autonomy, AI, and hardware engineering roles. Build market maps, talent intelligence, and long-term pipelines using advanced sourcing platforms and AI-powered workflows. Coach recruiters and partners, measure sourcing effectiveness, and scale repeatable sourcing systems to accelerate hiring for cleared and niche engineering talent.
Top Skills:
AshbyBoolean SearchChatgptClaude CodeClearancejobsCRMCursorGitGithub CopilotGoogle GeminiHireezLinkedin RecruiterOpenai CodexSeekoutTalent Intelligence Platforms
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Administer Atlassian Cloud (Jira, JSM, Confluence); design workflows, automations, and governance; develop REST API/webhook integrations; manage Atlassian Access (SSO/SCIM); build advanced JQL dashboards and reports; support cloud migrations, audits, and enterprise system integrations.
Top Skills:
Atlassian AccessAtlassian CloudAtlassian Rest ApiAutomation FrameworksAzure DevopsCi/CdConfluenceDevops ToolchainsEntra IdGroovyJira Service ManagementJira SoftwareJqlMarketplace AppsPower BIPythonScimScriptrunnerSsoTableauWebhooks
What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene
Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.
Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
- Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering
