Mission Lead - USV Software
Vannevar Labs · Norfolk, Virginia, United States
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 model adversary behavior, simulate campaigns, and recommend the best course of action to decision makers, with systems actively used on the front lines of the Indo-Pacific. --- ## About the role Most companies in the USV space build hulls. We’re building the **software** that enables planning, operational monitoring, and post-mission analysis for what these hulls do. We’re hiring a **forward-deployed Mission Strategist** to embed with the Navy’s unmanned surface vessel community in **Norfolk**. **This is an in-person, on-site role requiring you to work alongside USV operators at least 3 days per week**—whether you’re local, willing to relocate (we cover relocation), or able to travel to Norfolk weekly. This includes waterfront and operational testing time, which may involve additional travel during experimentation periods. The doctrine for USV operations is being written right now by the operators you’ll be working with. This is a **0 to 1** role: how these systems best operate and what software is required has not yet been determined. You’ll be on the cutting edge figuring this out with the Navy and with our mission and engineering teams. --- ## What you’ll do - **Embed with USV operators:** Sit on-site with operators and mission planners in Norfolk and build deep intuition for how unmanned surface operations work (including underway and during fleet experimentation). - **Synthesize USV operational problems:** Distill and prioritize mission problems for us to work on based on first-hand observation. - **Configure and prove workflows:** Stand up high-value workflows through creative, iterative configuration and validate them against real mission tasks. - **Test and troubleshoot releases:** Debug product issues on deployed government systems and partner with engineering to resolve them. - **Generate mission wins:** Use what you deploy during operations to create wins with Navy counterparts. - **Operate independently:** Set priorities on site and push work through without waiting for perfect direction. --- ## What we’re looking for - **In-person requirement:** Be in Norfolk every week (local, relocation covered, or travel weekly). - **Interest/experience in unmanned systems:** Unmanned surface vessels, manned surface vessels, or software related to planning, executing, or monitoring hardware operations. - **Ability to solve difficult problems with technology:** Either through development experience (product/engineering) or operational experience fielding new technology; demonstrated ability to decompose problems and creatively apply technology. - **High ownership amid ambiguity:** Take responsibility for outcomes and operate independently. - **Grit and persistence:** Work through ambiguity, iteration, and friction until you reach impact. - **Experience with autonomous/unmanned platforms.** --- ## What we value - **TS/SCI clearance:** Must be eligible and willing to get cleared (clearance not required to apply). --- ## What we offer - Health, dental, and vision insurance - Remote friendly with WeWork access - Unlimited PTO, shared downtime during the federal holiday calendar, and company-wide off time at the end of each year - 401(k) match - Lifestyle & wellbeing stipends - Salary top-up during military reserve duty - Fully
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