Mission

Navi AI is rapidly becoming a trusted name in aviation and defense — but scaling within the Department of Defense requires precision, persistence, and fluency in government contracting. As Defense Strategy Lead, your mission is to transform our early Air Force traction into a sustained, expanding defense presence. You’ll navigate SBIRs, OTAs, and contracting pathways, ensuring Navi captures every relevant opportunity and converts them into long-term strategic programs that shape the future of flight training and operational readiness.

Responsibilities

• Opportunity Intelligence: Maintain a live calendar of SBIRs, BAAs, OTAs, AFWERX, and DIU opportunities. Proactively identify and prioritize submissions that align with Navi’s roadmap.
• Proposal Execution: Lead end-to-end proposal development — drafting narratives, coordinating technical inputs, ensuring FAR/DFARS compliance, and managing on-time submission.
• Contracting Pathways: Drive TACFI/STRATFI progression and Phase III transitions, ensuring funding continuity and program scalability.
• Relationship Building: Cultivate and maintain trusted relationships with contracting officers, program managers, and innovation hubs across the DoD.
• Strategic Alignment: Partner with leadership to align defense opportunities with product, engineering, and company objectives.
• Representation: Serve as Navi’s face at defense innovation events, showcases, and pitch days, strengthening visibility and credibility within the ecosystem.
• Internal Coordination: Collaborate with CEO, CTO, and Chief of Staff on proposals, compliance, and reporting deliverables.

About You

• Background in DoD acquisitions, contracting, or defense business development — ideally Air Force or joint programs.
• Deep understanding of SBIR/TACFI/STRATFI, OTAs, and Phase III transition mechanisms.
• Strong writing and organizational skills — can manage multiple submissions in parallel with precision.
• Established network within AFWERX, DIU, AFLCMC, or related DoD innovation offices.
• Comfortable representing a startup to senior government officials; confident, credible, and mission-oriented.
• Adaptable and resourceful — able to operate in a fast-paced, unstructured environment.
• Passionate about aviation safety, defense innovation, and national mission impact.

Why This Role Matters

Navi AI is already flying with the Air Force. The next step is turning early wins into long-term contracts that embed our technology across the DoD. The Defense Strategy Lead ensures no opportunity is missed, every proposal is executed flawlessly, and every relationship deepens our foothold in the defense ecosystem. This role is the key to scaling Navi’s presence from startup to strategic partner.