Head of Growth & Capture - Defense Systems

Head of Growth & Capture - Lead Business Development for Next-Generation Defense Manufacturing

Los Angeles, CA | On-site

Opportunity Summary

Join a venture-backed defense technology company developing advanced manufacturing capabilities for mission-critical defense systems. The team is building scalable production technologies that enable critical components to be manufactured faster, more efficiently, and at significantly greater scale than conventional methods. Their platform supports a growing portfolio of applications across munitions, propulsion systems, aerospace hardware, advanced materials, and other national security priorities. As the Head of Growth & Capture, you will lead the company's government growth strategy and serve as the executive responsible for identifying, shaping, and winning high-value defense programs. This is a highly strategic role focused on building relationships across government, industry, and defense primes while driving capture efforts from early customer engagement through contract award. Initially, you will operate as a hands-on individual contributor before building and leading the company's capture organization as the business continues to scale.

About Us

We are an early-stage defense technology company commercializing advanced manufacturing solutions for high-performance defense and aerospace applications. Our multidisciplinary team combines expertise in engineering, materials science, manufacturing, and defense programs to develop production technologies that strengthen the U.S. industrial base and accelerate delivery of mission-critical hardware. Backed by experienced investors and entering a period of significant growth, we are building foundational manufacturing capabilities that support the next generation of defense systems.

Job Duties

• Develop and execute the company's long-term government growth and capture strategy.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new opportunities across munitions, weapons systems, propulsion, aerospace hardware, advanced materials, and defense manufacturing.
• Build trusted relationships with Department of War organizations, military acquisition offices, defense laboratories, warfare centers, prime contractors, and strategic industry partners.
• Prioritize growth efforts supporting Army programs while expanding opportunities across Navy, Air Force, and other defense organizations.
• Engage customers early to understand mission requirements, influence future opportunities, and position the company before formal solicitations are released.
• Lead capture activities from opportunity identification through contract award, including customer engagement, competitive strategy, proposal planning, and executive reviews.
• Partner closely with engineering leadership to develop technically credible manufacturing solutions aligned with customer requirements.
• Develop capture plans, pricing strategies, statements of work, and execution roadmaps for strategic pursuits.
• Monitor defense funding priorities, acquisition strategies, competitive activity, and emerging technologies to guide business development efforts.
• Develop strategic partnerships with government organizations, defense contractors, research institutions, and commercial partners.
• Build scalable business development infrastructure, including CRM processes, pipeline management, forecasting, and capture methodologies.
• Represent the company during executive customer meetings, industry conferences, technical reviews, and strategic planning sessions.
• Recruit, mentor, and build a high-performing capture and business development organization as the company grows.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience leading capture, business development, or strategic growth within defense, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, or other highly technical industries.
• Demonstrated history of winning Department of Defense contracts supporting weapons systems, munitions, propulsion, missile systems, advanced manufacturing, or related defense technologies.
• Proven experience leading capture efforts from early customer engagement through contract award.
• Strong understanding of Department of Defense acquisition processes, procurement strategy, and competitive capture planning.
• Existing network across military acquisition organizations, government program offices, defense primes, or related defense organizations.
• Experience collaborating with engineering teams to develop technically credible solutions, pricing strategies, and execution plans.
• Excellent communication, executive presentation, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Comfortable operating within a fast-paced startup environment where priorities evolve quickly.
• Self-directed leader capable of building new processes while delivering immediate business results.

Preferred Experience

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Naval Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience supporting weapons systems, munitions, missile systems, solid rocket motors, propulsion systems, aerospace platforms, or defense manufacturing programs.
• Experience working with military acquisition commands, defense laboratories, warfare centers, or other government organizations supporting national security programs.
• Strong understanding of advanced materials, composite manufacturing, precision machining, additive manufacturing, or other advanced production technologies.
• Experience helping an early-stage or high-growth defense company scale government revenue.
• Experience supporting SBIR, STTR, OTA, BAA, or other non-traditional acquisition pathways.
• Demonstrated success influencing customer requirements prior to formal solicitations.
• Existing relationships with major defense contractors and strategic government stakeholders.
• Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

Why Join Us

• Meaningful early-stage equity opportunity.
• Executive leadership role with direct influence on company strategy and long-term growth.
• Opportunity to build and lead the company's capture and business development organization.
• Work alongside experienced engineering leaders developing next-generation defense manufacturing technologies.
• High-impact environment where your work directly influences company growth and national security programs.
• Fast-moving startup with significant opportunities for professional growth and executive leadership.

Compensation Details

$180,000 - $250,000

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