Principal Capture Director - SOCOM

Shield AI, founded in 2015, is a venture-backed defense‑tech company that develops autonomous systems to support mission-critical operations worldwide. The Principal Capture Director – SOCOM will lead the long‑term business development and capture strategy for SOCOM Acquisition, Technology & Logistics (SOF AT&L) and work with service leads to design and implement SOF‑component capture strategies aligned with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Naval Special Warfare Command, and other SOCOM organizations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive SOCOM/service SOF components capture strategy integrating service‑aligned efforts across the DoW.
• Identify, qualify, and prioritize strategic opportunities aligned with SOCOM enterprise priorities.
• Establish and maintain trusted relationships with senior leaders across SOCOM and SOF AT&L, including key stakeholders within each PEO and critical proponent offices such as PEO SOF Warrior, PM Fixed Wing, PM Lethality, and JSOC.
• Serve as Shield AI’s principal interface for enterprise‑level SOCOM engagements, ensuring a unified message and coordinated strategy.
• Anticipate and interpret policy, budget, and technology priorities emerging from SOCOM, translating them into actionable capture strategies and investment focus areas while supporting the teams’ execution of service‑focused capture.
• Shape and influence SOCOM concepts, roadmaps, and acquisition approaches that define future autonomy, AI, and unmanned systems adoption.
• Established relationships with relevant operational commands, requirements developers, and acquisition offices.
• Create/update existing capture plans 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.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in business development, strategy, or capture within the Department of War ecosystem, with a focus on SOCOM enterprise‑level engagements.
• Deep understanding of SOCOM 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 SOCOM stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills, with demonstrated ability to collaborate across technical, operational, and policy teams.
• Active Secret clearance (Top Secret preferred).
• 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 SOCOM efforts.
• Advanced degree in business, public policy, engineering, or a related field.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package including bonus, benefits, and equity for full‑time employees.

Shield AI is 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.