Capture Strategist - Science & Technology (S&T)

TL;DR

Capture Strategist - Science & Technology (S&T): Build and lead R&D-focused business with DoD and U.S. Government labs and innovation organizations, identifying early-stage opportunities and driving capture execution from initial engagement through award with an accent on market strategy, proposal development, and customer relationships. Focus on shaping problem framing, aligning technical capabilities to customer needs, and building transition pathways to operational programs.

Location: Work full-time onsite out of Washington, D.C. office with regular travel (25–50%) for lab engagements, customer meetings, demonstrations, industry events, and coordination with Los Angeles HQ. Ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance required.

Salary: $140,000 - $180,000

Company

Redefining modern defense with advanced sensing and detection solutions powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), founded in 2022 with $1B funding from top investors, headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Washington D.C., San Francisco, and London.

What you will do

• Conduct opportunity monitoring across R&D channels like BAAs, CSOs, SBIR/STTR, and build a qualified pipeline of future capabilities.
• Develop capture plans at strategic and tactical levels, aligned with business priorities, and participate in engineering planning to align product roadmaps.
• Lead win themes for proposals, white papers, and content, translating technical approaches into compelling narratives.
• Build relationships and engage customers at Pentagon, labs, test sites, and field environments through meetings, visits, demonstrations, and conferences.
• Partner with engineering teams and Service Growth Leads to shape opportunities and accelerate R&D transitions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of U.S. Government acquisition process including FAR and non-traditional R&D pathways.
• Experience supporting Federal R&D proposals/white papers with success in capturing low TRL awards.
• Experience building trust with stakeholders, translating needs, and driving execution.
• Exceptional communication, strategic judgment, and risk assessment skills.
• Ability to obtain Top Secret / SCI clearance.

Nice to have

• Existing U.S. security clearance (Secret or above).
• Direct experience with DoD/USG labs like DARPA, ARL, AFRL, ONR.
• Experience with BAAs/CSOs, OTA/consortiums, SBIR/STTR execution and transition.
• Technical background in radar, RF, sensing, communications, autonomy, or weapons systems.
• Experience transitioning prototypes to follow-on programs.

Culture & Benefits

• Health benefits: Medical, dental, vision 100% paid by company; 401k with 50% match up to 6% of pay, FSA, HSA, life insurance.
• Perks: Free daily lunch, no meeting Fridays, unlimited PTO, casual dress code.
• Compensation: Competitive base, pre-IPO stock options, relocation assistance, annual bonuses (coming soon).
• Team: 200 employees across 5 global offices, focused on growth.