Manager of Defense Programs

Position Overview

As a Defense Programs Manager, you will play an important role in supporting and executing program management, business development, and federal acquisition initiatives within the defense and national security market.

This position is ideal for a professional with 3–5 years of relevant experience who understands the Department of Defense (DoD) environment and is ready to take greater ownership of projects, customer engagement, and business development activities.

You will be responsible for coordinating defense technology programs, researching and evaluating business opportunities, supporting federal contracting and acquisition processes, and contributing to capture strategies and proposal development. Working closely with company leadership, technical teams, government stakeholders, and external partners, you will help translate complex requirements into actionable plans that advance our mission and business objectives.

We're looking for someone who is resourceful, analytical, organized, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced startup environment. The ideal candidate brings practical experience navigating the defense ecosystem, strong communication skills, sound judgment, and a willingness to take initiative. You should enjoy solving complex problems, building relationships, and continuously learning.

The ideal candidate would reside in Minneapolis, MN. However, this position is remote, and candidates located anywhere within the Continental United States (CONUS) will be considered.

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship required) and travel up to 20% of the time.

What You’ll Do

Defense Program Management

• Manage and coordinate assigned activities for early-stage defense technology programs, including schedules, milestones, deliverables, budgets, and risk tracking
• Monitor program performance, identify potential challenges, and recommend solutions to keep projects on track
• Coordinate with internal technical teams, government customers, and external partners to support successful program execution
• Develop program documentation, status reports, briefings, and other materials to communicate progress and support decision-making

Federal Acquisition and Contracting

• Support federal contracting and acquisition activities within the DoD ecosystem, including acquisition planning, requirements development, and contract execution
• Research and evaluate acquisition strategies, contract vehicles, solicitation requirements, and government procurement opportunities
• Assist in developing and reviewing Statements of Work (SOW), Performance Work Statements (PWS), Statements of Objectives (SOO), and related acquisition documentation
• Track acquisition timelines, solicitation requirements, deliverables, and compliance obligations in coordination with internal and external stakeholders

Business Development and Capture Support

• Identify, research, and evaluate business development opportunities aligned with Anno.Ai's technologies, capabilities, and strategic priorities
• Support capture planning, proposal development, and responses to government solicitations, requests for information (RFIs), and other business opportunities
• Conduct market, customer, and competitor research to inform business development strategies and opportunity assessments
• Help develop customer presentations, capability statements, proposals, and strategic briefings
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with government stakeholders, industry partners, and potential customers
• Maintain opportunity pipelines, track business development activities, and provide regular updates to leadership

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Translate government and military operational requirements into actionable business, technical, and program recommendations
• Collaborate with leadership, engineering, operations, and business development teams to align customer needs with company capabilities
• Take ownership of assigned projects and deliverables while proactively identifying opportunities to improve processes and outcomes
• Adapt to changing priorities and contribute to a collaborative, results-oriented startup environment

Required Qualifications

• 5-10 years of relevant professional experience in defense programs, federal acquisitions, government contracting, business development, program management, or related field. Equivalent military or government experience will be considered
• Working knowledge of DoD organizations, missions, acquisition processes, contracting practices, or program-management activities
• Demonstrated experience coordinating projects or programs, managing deliverables, tracking milestones, and working with multiple stakeholders
• Experience supporting federal acquisition, contracting, business development, or government program activities
• Ability to independently research complex topics, analyze information, identify risks and opportunities, and develop practical recommendations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing professional reports, presentations, briefings, proposals, or decision-support materials
• Strong organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail
• Demonstrated initiative, problem-solving skills, and the ability to take ownership of assigned responsibilities with appropriate guidance
• Ability to build effective working relationships and collaborate with technical, operational, business, and government stakeholders
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and the ability to quickly learn additional business development and program management tools
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive, proprietary, or mission-related information
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a remote, fast-moving, mission-focused team
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, including U.S. citizenship
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience supporting DoD acquisition, contracting, requirements development, resource management, program management, or operational planning
• Experience developing, reviewing, or contributing to Performance Work Statements (PWS), Statements of Work (SOW), Statements of Objectives (SOO), or related acquisition documentation
• Familiarity with the federal acquisition lifecycle, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), contract vehicles, Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), or SBIR/STTR programs
• Experience supporting defense business development, capture management, proposal development, customer engagement, or opportunity assessments
• Experience preparing responses to government RFIs, requests for proposals (RFPs), or other federal solicitations
• Experience conducting market, customer, competitor, or opportunity research and presenting findings to leadership or other decision-makers
• Experience translating military operational needs or government requirements into acquisition strategies, program plans, or business recommendations
• Experience monitoring program schedules, budgets, risks, deliverables, and stakeholder commitments
• Strong technical writing skills, particularly in developing acquisition documentation, proposals, technical reports, or customer-facing materials
• Familiarity with autonomous systems, unmanned platforms, artificial intelligence, data analytics, or other emerging defense technologies
• Bachelor's degree, military training, professional certification, or relevant coursework in business, acquisition, contracting, public policy, national security, engineering, or related field
• Experience working in a startup, small business, or rapidly evolving organization
• An active or recently held U.S. Government security clearance