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Role Description
As a Mission Manager, you will serve as a senior mission-facing leader responsible for driving program-based adoption of Vannevar Labs’ technology within government program offices. This is a highly autonomous role that requires deep mission credibility, strong technical intuition, and the ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, early-stage program environments.
What you’ll do
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Lead engagements with program offices (PEOs, PMWs, PMOs, and equivalent organizations) to identify mission problems that Vannevar Labs’ technology can solve.
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Translate program needs into technical narratives, clearly explaining how our software and agent-based capabilities map to requirements, constraints, and outcomes.
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Scope and shape program-based pilots, defining objectives, success criteria, timelines, and pathways to scale.
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Pitch the technology with credibility, leveraging your mission and domain background to build trust with program managers and technical authorities.
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Navigate programmatic realities, including requirements development, budgeting cycles, contracting pathways, and stakeholder coordination.
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Partner closely with product managers and engineers to ensure mission context is accurately reflected in technical scope, tradeoffs, and delivery plans.
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Convert successful pilots into sustained programs, helping program offices justify follow-on funding and broader adoption.
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Represent Vannevar Labs within the program ecosystem as a mission-credible, technically fluent partner.
Qualifications
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15–20+ years of experience in government or defense missions, typically as a retired O5/O6 or senior enlisted or civilian equivalent.
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Deep expertise in a specific mission or technical domain (e.g., cyber, information warfare, ISR, networks, operational intelligence, warfare systems/command and control).
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Strong ability to scope, pitch, and sell technical solutions to senior government stakeholders.
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Proven experience navigating programmatic realities, including budgets, requirements, authorities, timelines, and stakeholder dynamics.
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Sufficient technical fluency to understand modern software systems and agent-based approaches.
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Demonstrated scrappiness and bias toward action — comfortable operating in ambiguity and pushing programs forward without perfect structure.
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High enthusiasm for building something new and shaping how cutting-edge technology is adopted inside government.
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Bonus of having acquisition, resource sponsor, or program manager experience.
What we value
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Mission-first mindset with a focus on real operational outcomes.
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Technical credibility paired with humility — able to learn quickly and ask the right questions.
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Clarity and precision in communication, especially with senior leaders.
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Ownership mentality — taking responsibility for moving programs from idea to execution.
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Low ego, high trust, and comfort collaborating across product, engineering, and mission teams.
Benefits
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Competitive Salary: The salary range for this position is $180,000 - $220,000 + equity.
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Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance.
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Remote friendly with WeWork access.
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Unlimited PTO, shared downtime during the federal holiday calendar, and company-wide off time at the end of each year.
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401(k) match.
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Lifestyle & wellbeing stipends.
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Salary top-up during military reserve duty.
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Fully paid parental leave.
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Child and pet care reimbursement during travel.
