Mission Lead - International (Clearance Required)
About this role
Vannevar is a defense technology company building AI to deter our adversaries. In the 21st century, conflict moves at algorithmic speed and foresight equals firepower. Our agentic AI is purpose-built to compete with China—from cross-Strait conflict to gray zone coercion. Trained on the most mission-relevant datasets in defense, our technology models adversary behavior, simulates campaigns, and recommends the best course of action to decision makers. Our AI systems are some of the most trusted in the industry and actively used on the front lines of the Indo-Pacific to keep the peace and save lives.
Exceptional technology starts with exceptional people. Vannevar is a small agile team combining world-class engineers with veteran strategists who bring deep expertise in defense and tradecraft. We’re building a company defined by mission impact, user empathy, and disciplined growth. In just three years, we grew from $3M to $80M in ARR, achieved early profitability, and reached unicorn status—proving that disruption doesn’t require an ego, and staying power doesn’t mean standing still.
About the role
We are looking for a Mission Lead, International to help Vannevar build and deepen relationships with allied defense and national security organizations around the world.
This role sits at the intersection of business development, mission execution, and customer success. Roughly 50% of your time will be focused on identifying, developing, and expanding international opportunities, while the other 50% will be spent ensuring customers achieve meaningful operational outcomes with Vannevar's products.
You will serve as both a trusted advisor and a strategic growth partner to allied military and government organizations. On any given trip, you may find yourself briefing senior military leaders, demonstrating Vannevar's software to operational users, identifying new mission opportunities, supporting a pilot deployment, or helping a customer navigate the path from initial interest to long-term adoption.
U.S. Persons status with at least a current Top Secret US DoD or IC clearance is required. This is a customer facing role required to be based in Oahu with travel across the Indopacific (50% travel).
What you'll do
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with military, intelligence, and national security stakeholders across allied and partner nations.
- Identify new mission opportunities and help expand Vannevar's international footprint.
- Lead customer-facing business development efforts, including discovery conversations, capability demonstrations, operational evaluations, and strategic account planning.
- Serve as the primary mission-facing owner for international customer engagements and deployments.
- Demonstrate Vannevar's software and articulate how it solves real-world operational problems.
- Drive adoption, retention, and expansion within existing customer accounts.
- Partner closely with product, engineering, and mission teams to ensure customer needs are translated into product improvements and roadmap priorities.
- Help customers navigate procurement, acquisition, and transition-to-program pathways.
- Support pilot programs, operational demonstrations, exercises, and field deployments.
- Represent Vannevar at conferences, military exercises, industry events, and customer engagements.
- Travel frequently throughout the United States and internationally.
What we're looking for
- 8+ years of experience in defense, intelligence, national security, government technology, or related fields.
- Experience working directly with military, intelligence, or government customers.
- Experience in business development, strategic growth, customer success, mission operations, or a combination thereof.
- Familiarity with international defense markets and government procurement processes.
- Ability to lead both business development conversations and customer success engagements.
- Strong executive presence and ability to communicate effectively with audiences ranging from operational users to senior government leaders.
- Demonstrated ability to build trust, influence stakeholders, and drive outcomes in complex organizations.
- Ability to operate independently in ambiguous environments with minimal oversight.
- Willingness to travel frequently, including international travel.
What we value
- Experience supporting international business development efforts within defense or national security organizations.
- Familiarity with Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Direct Commercial Sales (DCS), security cooperation programs, or other international acquisition mechanisms.
- Experience working with allied and partner nation militaries.
The salary range for this position is $150,000-$170,000 + equity + 401K match + COLA. Within the range, individual pay is determined by experience, relevant education, and/or training.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 100% remote first culture
- Unlimited PTO including competitive vacation and holiday schedules
- Lifestyle stipends - Monthly mental health, wellness & fitness stipend, in-home office setup stipend and family planning assistance
- Salary top-up during military reserve duty
- Fully paid parental leave
- Child and pet care reimbursement during travel
We are committed to protecting the privacy of all applicants. Official emails from the company will come from an @vannevarlabs.com domain. Under no circumstances will a legitimate representative from our company contact you to request passwords, financial information, or other sensitive personal data. Please be vigilant of potential scams.
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