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Senior Director, Air Force Strategic Capture (R4047)

Washington, DC
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

The Director/Sr Director of Strategic Capture – U.S. Air Force will lead the design and execution of Shield AI’s long-term business development and capture strategy for the U.S. Air Force (USAF). This individual will be responsible for shaping, guiding, and securing strategic growth opportunities across all Shield AI business units—ensuring alignment with USAF operational priorities, acquisition pathways, and modernization initiatives.

What you'll do:

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive Air Force strategic capture strategy that spans all Shield AI business units and product lines.
  • Identify, qualify, and prioritize strategic opportunities aligned with USAF modernization goals (e.g., Collaborative Combat Aircraft, JADC2, ABMS, and Next Generation Air Dominance).
  • Build and maintain trusted relationships across USAF decision-makers, including MAJCOMs, AFWERX, SAF/AQ, AFRL, ACC, AFSOC, AMC, and PEO organizations.
  • Serve as Shield AI’s key Air Force interface for strategic discussions, ensuring a unified message and coordinated engagement across all company divisions.
  • Anticipate customer needs, understand program funding and priorities, and proactively align Shield AI offerings to emerging requirements.

Required qualifications:

  • 10+ years of experience in business development, strategic capture supporting the U.S. Air Force or DoD.
  • Deep knowledge of USAF organizational structure, acquisition systems, and decision-making processes.
  • Demonstrated success leading major captures ($50M+ value) through the full lifecycle.
  • Proven ability to influence senior USAF and DoD stakeholders.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills with an ability to collaborate across technical and operational teams.
  • Active Secret clearance (Top Secret preferred).

Preferred qualifications:

  • Experience with emerging technologies in autonomy, AI, C2, aircraft systems, or ISR.
  • Prior military service, particularly within Air Force acquisition, operations, or requirements communities.
  • Advanced degree in business, 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. 

About Shield AI

Shield AI

Shield AI is a defense technology company building autonomous AI systems for aircraft, drones, and intelligent mission software used in complex military environments. Founded in 2015, the company is best known for developing Hivemind, an AI pilot system that enables aircraft and drones to operate autonomously in contested and GPS-denied environments, supporting U.S. and allied defense missions.

For job seekers, Shield AI offers opportunities across advanced fields including artificial intelligence, robotics, software engineering, autonomy systems, aerospace engineering, embedded systems, and mission operations. The company is especially attractive to engineers, AI researchers, and defense professionals who want to work on real-world autonomous systems that are actively being deployed in operational military scenarios.

Unlike traditional defense contractors, Shield AI operates with a startup-style engineering culture focused on rapid experimentation, real-world testing, and fast deployment of autonomous capabilities. Employees work on tightly integrated AI and robotics systems that combine perception, decision-making, and control, enabling platforms to operate without direct human input in highly complex environments.

As modern warfare increasingly shifts toward autonomous systems, distributed sensing, and AI-enabled decision-making, Shield AI continues to grow as one of the most prominent companies in next-generation defense technology. For professionals seeking to build cutting-edge autonomy systems with direct mission impact, Shield AI stands out as a leading employer in the defense innovation ecosystem.

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