Senior Lead, Enterprise Strategy and Operations (AI)

Location: On-site in San Diego, California; Dallas, Texas; or Washington, D.C. U.S. citizenship is required, with the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Salary: $160,000–$250,000 per year, plus bonus, benefits, and equity for regular full-time employees.

Company

Venture-backed defense-tech company developing intelligent systems, autonomy software, aircraft, and simulation technologies for defense and security operations.

What you will do

• Support multi-year strategic planning and annual operating strategy cycles.
• Evaluate portfolio tradeoffs across platforms, software, hardware, and emerging growth opportunities.
• Conduct market sizing, competitive analysis, scenario modeling, and investment analysis across U.S. and allied defense markets.
• Build financial models covering unit economics, forecasting, capital intensity, payback, and risk-adjusted returns.
• Translate strategic priorities into cross-functional execution plans with KPIs, milestones, and operating cadences.
• Lead integration efforts for acquisitions and strategic investments, identify bottlenecks, and recommend corrective actions.

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience with a bachelor's degree, 8+ years with a master's degree, or 5+ years with a PhD.
• 4+ years of experience in strategy consulting, corporate strategy, or another high-rigor role.
• Strong analytical, conceptual problem-solving, financial modeling, and scenario analysis skills.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional transformations in technology-driven environments.
• Ability to structure ambiguous problems, influence senior stakeholders, and collaborate across teams.
• U.S. citizenship required; ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Nice to have

• Experience or strong interest in complex, technical, or regulated industries.
• Background in aerospace, defense, AI, or advanced manufacturing.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time regular employees receive bonus, benefits, and equity.
• Compensation depends on skills, experience, licenses, certifications, and work location.
• Offers are contingent on a cleared background and may include a reference check.
• Equal opportunity workplace with reasonable accommodations available for applicants with disabilities or special needs.