Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
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.
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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.