Defense Capture Manager

Description Join Our Innovative Team at Mile 2! Are you into solving tough problems and building cool tech? Do you thrive in a team where your ideas are heard and your creativity is encouraged? If you're nodding along, Mile 2 might be the place for you. We're all about creating advanced solutions that really make a difference for our government partners. Our team uses the latest technologies to make a tangible impact, creating seamless integrations between human expertise and machine capabilities to tackle complex challenges. Our core values guide everything we do: Supported Autonomy : We trust you to take initiative and make decisions, but we've always got your back. Humble Expertise : We respect everyone's knowledge and skills, creating an environment where we can all learn and get better together. Success is a Team Effort : We believe that we can only achieve great things when we work as a team. Tangible Results : We're motivated by the desire to create real, measurable impacts through our work. When you join us, you'll work on meaningful projects that challenge you and help you grow. We offer a supportive and inclusive environment, competitive benefits, and plenty of opportunities to advance your career. If you're ready to level up your career and be part of something special, check out our current openings and apply today. Our work spans: Human-Machine Teaming AI/ML-enabled decision support Operational software Platform engineering Zero Trust Architecture Mission systems modernization Mile 2 is seeking an experienced Capture Manager focused on U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to lead strategic opportunity shaping, capture execution, and growth activities across the Special Operations mission space. This is not a traditional business development role focused solely on pipeline generation or customer introductions. We are specifically seeking a proven GovCon capture professional with demonstrated experience leading opportunities from identification through award within SOCOM and adjacent Special Operations ecosystems. The ideal candidate understands how to: Shape opportunities before solicitation release Build and execute formal capture plans Drive competitive positioning and teaming strategy Coordinate technical, operational, pricing, and proposal resources Translate mission needs into executable win strategies Navigate the SOCOM acquisition environment, operational culture, and stakeholder landscape This individual will operate at the intersection of: Mission understanding Customer engagement Technical solution shaping Competitive strategy Proposal execution Transition-to-award planning The role requires someone who can independently own captures while collaborating closely with Operations, Solution Architecture, and Executive Leadership. Capture Leadership Lead full lifecycle capture activities for SOCOM and Special Operations opportunities from qualification through award Develop and maintain formal capture plans, win strategies, competitive assessments, and action trackers Identify and influence opportunities prior to RFP release Drive opportunity shaping activities with customers, partners, and internal stakeholders Conduct Black Hat, SWOT, Price-to-Win, and competitive positioning analyses Build discriminators and compelling value propositions tied to operational mission outcomes SOCOM Customer Engagement Develop and maintain relationships across SOCOM organizations, components, labs, and mission partners Understand operational priorities, capability gaps, modernization efforts, and acquisition pathways within the SOF community Represent the company at industry days, operational demonstrations, technical exchanges, conferences, and customer meetings Help translate customer pain points into capture and solution strategies Opportunity & Pipeline Management Own strategic captures across SOCOM and adjacent defense/intelligence customers Maintain accurate opportunity status, risk assessments, and forecasting within CRM Support pipeline reviews, gate reviews, bid/no-bid decisions, and executive reporting Coordinate with leadership to prioritize pursuits based on strategic fit, P-win, and resourcing Teaming & Partner Strategy Identify, evaluate, and negotiate teaming arrangements with primes, subcontractors, and technology partners Develop teaming strategies aligned to customer preferences and acquisition environments Coordinate NDAs, teaming agreements, and partner engagement activities in collaboration with Contracts and Leadership Technical & Proposal Integration Partner closely with Solution Architects, Technical SMEs, and Proposal Managers to shape technically credible and operationally relevant solutions Ensure capture intelligence, customer insights, and win themes are translated into proposal artifacts Support storyboard development, proposal reviews, color teams, and oral presentations Drive continuity between pre-RFP shaping, proposal response, and post-award transition Strategic Growth Support Contribute to long-term SOCOM growth strategy, market positioning, and account planning Help identify adjacent growth opportunities, transition pathways, and programs of record Support strategic initiatives related to AI/ML, Human-Machine Teaming (HMT), platform engineering, Zero Trust, mission software, and operational modernization Requirements Active TS/SCI clearance Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Military Studies, or related field 7+ years of experience in DoD Government Contracting growth/capture environments 5+ years of dedicated Capture Management experience on federal opportunities Demonstrated success leading captures specifically within USSOCOM Proven experience managing opportunities through the full capture lifecycle Strong understanding of: FAR/DFARS OTAs SBIR/STTR transitions IDIQ task order environments SOCOM acquisition dynamics Experience developing and executing formal capture strategies and win plans Experience coordinating cross-functional technical and proposal teams Strong executive communication and customer engagement skills Prior military service, especially SOF or operational mission experience Ability to travel as needed for customer engagement and industry events (no more than 25%) DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS Preferred proximity to Tampa, FL; National Capital Region; or major DoD hubs Existing relationships within SOCOM, SOFWERX, PEO-SOFSA, component commands, or mission partners Experience supporting AI/ML, ISR, autonomy, mission software, platform engineering, cyber, cloud, or data modernization efforts Experience with: Shipley capture methodologies Price-to-Win analysis Competitive intelligence Oral presentations Strategic account planning Experience transitioning prototypes, SBIRs, or innovation efforts into operational programs Understanding of software-centric and rapid acquisition environments Desired Characteristics We are looking for someone who: Operates proactively rather than reactively Can independently drive capture momentum without excessive oversight Understands both the operational mission and acquisition environment Is comfortable engaging technical SMEs and operational users alike Can synthesize fragmented information into actionable strategy Thrives in fast-moving, ambiguous growth environments Brings urgency, ownership, and accountability to captures Thinks strategically while also executing tactically Success Metrics Success in this role will be measured by: Qualified pipeline growth within SOCOM accounts Capture progression and maturation Win rate and probability of win improvements Customer engagement effectiveness Teaming strategy effectiveness Proposal quality and competitiveness Strategic account expansion Transition of innovation efforts into operational contracts Our Approach to AI in Hiring At Mile 2, applications are reviewed by real people—not filtered out by bots. Authenticity matters more than keyword tricks. We know you're probably using AI tools to help draft or polish your resumes, and that’s fine! We're using AI to write this blurb about AI! But we expect you to make it your own. Resumes that feel copy-pasted I —repetitive, oddly phrased, “too perfect” matches to our job description— may hurt your chances. Adding personal touches and real examples of your work will make your application stronger. We look forward to meeting the real you! A Note About Our Application Process Please answer our screener questions honestly and thoroughly (rather than writing “see resume”). These are reviewed by real people—not bots—and play an important role in our selection process. Thoughtful responses will strengthen your application.