Mission Lead - USV Software

Vannevar builds AI systems for the Department of War’s most consequential missions. We have 125 deployments across every branch and combatant command spanning our core platform and five distinct products. When major combat operations started with Iran, we fielded a new product supporting 24/7 operations and 9,000+ users in three months. Our advantage is deploying forward with the people who own the mission—engineers, product teams, and our CTO embed directly with operational units, including visits to units in Ukraine, to support great‑power competition with China, combat operations with Iran, and counter‑narcotics missions.

About the Role

We are hiring a forward‑deployed Mission Strategist to embed with the Navy’s unmanned surface vessel (USV) community in Norfolk. This is an in‑person, on‑site role requiring you to work alongside USV operators at least three days per week—whether you are local, willing to relocate (relocation covered), or able to travel weekly. You will help write the doctrine for USV operations, translate ambiguous operational problems into concrete software solutions, and drive capability development alongside the Navy and our engineering teams. The role involves configuration, workflow design, and development of net‑new capabilities, with direct access to government systems and operational environments.

What You’ll Do

• Embed with USV operators: sit on‑site with operators and mission planners in Norfolk to build deep intuition for unmanned surface operations, including underway and fleet experimentation.
• Synthesize USV operational problems: distill and prioritize mission problems for development based on first‑hand observation.
• Configure and prove workflows: stand up high‑value workflows through creative, iterative configuration and validate them against real mission tasks.
• Test and troubleshoot releases: debug product issues on deployed government systems and collaborate with engineering to resolve them.
• Generate mission wins: leverage deployments during operations to achieve successes with our Navy counterparts.
• Operate independently: set priorities on site and push work forward without waiting for perfect direction.

What We’re Looking For

• Ability to be in‑person in Norfolk every week (local, relocation covered, or weekly travel).
• Experience or strong demonstrated interest in unmanned systems, unmanned surface vessels, manned surface vessels, or software for planning, executing, or monitoring hardware operations (e.g., space).
• Experience using technology to solve difficult problems—through product/engineering development or operational fielding of new technology (e.g., military).
• Proven ability to decompose problems into component parts and creatively apply technology to address them.
• High ownership amid ambiguity: take responsibility for outcomes and operate independently.
• Grit and persistence: work through ambiguity, iteration, and friction to achieve impact.
• Experience working with autonomous or unmanned platforms.
• Eligibility and willingness to obtain TS/SCI clearance (clearance not required at hire).

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Remote‑friendly environment with WeWork access.
• Unlimited PTO, shared downtime during the federal holiday calendar, and company‑wide off time at year‑end.
• 401(k) match.
• Lifestyle & wellbeing stipends.
• Salary top‑up during military reserve duty.
• Fully paid parental leave.
• Child and pet care reimbursement during travel.