Mission Systems Director

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.

About the Role

We are looking for a senior acquisition leader to join Vannevar Labs to shape long-cycle opportunities across PEOs and major program offices. This role is central to Vannevar’s pivot into PEO-first growth. You will bring first-hand experience on how programs are built, funded, fielded, integrated, and sustained to help Vannevar shape the next generation of capabilities.

As part of our Mission Systems organization, your insights into PEO structures, program office decision-making, acquisition timelines, budgeting, and integration challenges will guide how we shape requirements, build relevance early, and position Vannevar to win large, durable programs. This is a unique opportunity for a former PEO, Deputy PEO, Major PMO Lead, or Senior Program Manager who wants to apply their operational and acquisition experience inside a fast-moving national security startup that is building tools directly aligned to the needs of the military.

What You’ll Do

Shape early program strategy

• Advise on program structures, acquisition pathways, funding lines, risk areas, and modernization priorities
• Identify where and how Vannevar can meaningfully support programs—whether through capability gaps, integration challenges, or modernization timelines.
• Inform long-range strategy around $25M–$50M+ programs, major new starts, re-competes, and technical upgrade cycles.

Build trusted customer relationships

• Leverage your network across PEOs, PMWs, and partner organizations to open doors, deepen trust, and accelerate customer understanding.
• Engage senior acquisition leaders to understand real-world constraints, mission needs, and where Vannevar’s technology can be most impactful.
• Navigate program offices with fluency—knowing who the decision-makers are, how they think, and how programs actually move.

Guide capture, shaping, and competitive positioning

• Partner with the Senior Growth Lead to influence requirements early, shape concept of operations, and ensure our offerings align to program office needs.
• Provide technical, operational, and programmatic context that positions Vannevar uniquely versus primes, integrators, and other emerging vendors.
• Support bid/no-bid calls, capture strategy, teaming strategy, and price-to-win considerations based on insider program knowledge.

Strengthen pipeline visibility & predictability

• Map out acquisition timelines, key decision points, POM cycles, reprogramming windows, and PMW-specific budget patterns to inform Vannevar’s growth roadmap.
• Help translate multi-year PEO strategies into actionable near-term opportunities that the Growth Lead can pursue.

Represent the program office perspective internally

• Provide internal teams—engineering, product, mission, and leadership—with authentic program office insights on integration, testing, sustainment, risk, and fielding realities.
• Ensure Vannevar’s offerings resonate with acquisition leaders and align with the technical, operational, and contracting realities of programs.

What We’re Looking For

• Former PEO, Deputy PEO, Senior PMW lead, ACAT I/II PM, or equivalent Senior Program Manager.
• First-hand 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 how software, networks, cyber, or mission systems capabilities are built, evaluated, integrated, and purchased.
• Experience partnering closely with industry or evaluating industry proposals—able to guide strategy, shaping, and competitive positioning from the government perspective.
• Strong communication instincts—able to translate complex acquisition and program realities into clear guidance for a fast-moving startup.
• Desire to help shape something new, with comfort operating in ambiguity and a bias toward action.

What We Offer

Competitive Salary
The compensation is comprised of salary + performance bonus + equity. Within the range, individual pay is determined by experience, relevant education, and/or training.

Comprehensive Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Remote friendly with WeWork access
• Unlimited PTO, shared downtime during the federal holiday calendar, and company-wide off time at the end of each year
• 401(k) match
• Lifestyle & wellbeing stipends
• Salary top-up during military reserve duty
• Fully paid parental leave
• Child and pet care reimbursement during travel