Principal Capture Director - USMC

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:

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.

• 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.

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 + EquityTemporary 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.

Originally posted on Himalayas