--- title: 'Forward Deployed Mission Strategist, Unmanned Maritime Systems at Sitreps' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/forward-deployed-mission-strategist-unmanned-maritime-systems-sitreps-norfolk-9q6c754s1yv3' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-06' --- # Forward Deployed Mission Strategist, Unmanned Maritime Systems at Sitreps - **Company:** Sitreps - **Location:** Norfolk, VA - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-10-23 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-06 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/sitrepsllc/jobs/4465117009 ## Job description Forward Deployed Mission Strategist, Unmanned Maritime Systems Company: Venture-backed defense AI software company (name disclosed upon mutual interest) Location: Norfolk, Virginia. On site with operators at least 3 days a week (local, relocating, or weekly travel). Role Type: Full-Time Employee Clearance: Not required to start; must be eligible and willing to obtain TS/SCI Compensation: $165,000–$185,000 base, plus equity ## About the Client Our client builds AI-enabled software for high-stakes U.S. military and national security missions. Its software is already in operational use across the armed services, and its people (engineers and product leaders included) work forward, side by side with the units that own the mission, rather than building from a distance. ## About the Role The company is building software for planning, monitoring, and reviewing unmanned surface vessel (USV) missions, and is hiring a forward-deployed strategist to embed with the Navy's USV community in Norfolk. You will work alongside operators on site at least three days a week, plus waterfront and test time that may mean extra travel during experimentation periods. How these systems are operated is still being worked out, by the very operators you will sit with. This is a 0-to-1 role. Nobody has settled yet how USVs operate best or what software they need. You will figure that out with the Navy and with the company's mission and engineering teams: understand what operators and commanders are trying to do, break messy operational problems into specific software problems, drive the capability needed, and put it into use. Some of that is configuration and workflow design in existing products; much of it is new capability built side by side with mission partners. This is not a typical customer success, solutions, or product job. You will have access to government systems and operational settings most of the company does not, and you will be the bridge between USV teams and engineers. The work can be gritty, and you will often operate on your own on site, with support from product, engineering, and leadership. ## Responsibilities - Embed with operators. Work on site with USV operators and mission planners in Norfolk and build deep intuition for unmanned surface operations, including underway and during fleet experimentation. - Prioritize the problems. Use what you learn first-hand to distill and rank the mission problems worth solving. - Build what works. Set up the workflows that matter most, refining them until they hold up on actual missions. - Own release quality. Track down bugs on fielded government systems and get them fixed with engineering. - Generate mission wins. Turn what gets deployed during operations into clear wins with Navy partners. - Operate independently. Set priorities on site and move work forward without waiting for perfect direction. ## Requirements Must-Haves - In person in Norfolk every week, whether you are local, relocate (relocation is covered), or travel in weekly. - Experience or strong interest in unmanned or manned surface vessels, unmanned systems, or software for planning, running, or monitoring hardware operations (space, for example). - Experience using technology to solve difficult problems, from product or engineering work or from fielding new technology in the military, and a proven knack for breaking problems into parts. - High ownership amid ambiguity, and the grit to push through iteration and friction until you get results. - Experience working with autonomous or unmanned platforms. Nice-to-Haves - An active TS/SCI clearance. Not required, but you must be eligible and willing to be cleared. ## Compensation & Benefits Base salary is $165,000 to $185,000, plus equity. - Medical, dental, and vision insurance - 401(k) match - Unlimited PTO - Fully paid parental leave - Wellness and lifestyle stipends - Pay support during military reserve duty ## About Sitreps ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Sitreps is a veteran-founded recruiting agency and defense technology company that connects elite military talent with high-impact roles and builds software-driven maritime intelligence platforms for the U.S. Department of Defense. - **Entity Type**: Private (startup stage; no public funding rounds disclosed) - **Headquarters**: Arlington, Virginia, USA (multiple job postings list Arlington, VA as primary location; also offices in New York City and Litchfield, VA) - **Founded**: 2019 - **Founders**: Kyle Eberly, Wyatt Frasier, Max Cormier (co-founders) ## Core Business - **Primary Industries**: Defense Technology, Professional Services (Veteran Recruiting & Staffing), Software & Analytics - **Target Customers**: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and federal civilian agencies (B2G); defense-focused enterprises and technology companies (B2B) seeking veteran talent - **Mission/Purpose**: Leveraging a deep-rooted community of military veterans to help world-class businesses scale, while also transforming commercial fleets into persistent sensing assets for national security. ## Products & Services - **Sitreps Talent (Recruiting Agency)**: A curated recruiting service that sources, vets, and places high-performing military professionals into roles at partner companies. Serves 10+ industries including defense tech, software, AI, fintech, and private equity. Places roles such as product managers, account executives, engagement managers, and sales directors. - **Maritime Intelligence Platform (Defense Tech Software)**: A next-generation software platform that transforms global commercial fleets into persistent sensing assets for the United States. Used by Navy strategic programs; includes analytics, data integration (SQL/Python/R), and implementation services. - **AI & Agentic Solutions (Emerging)**: Design, prototype, and deploy scalable AI and agentic workflows for defense acquisition challenges, embedding with clients to productionize models. ## Market Standing - **Valuuation / Funding**: Not publicly disclosed. The company appears to be privately funded (no public rounds recorded). A Head of Sales job description references growing revenue from ~$2M to $5M+ (with a path to $30M), suggesting current annual revenue in the low single-digit millions. - **Key Metrics**: 150+ veterans placed, 40+ partner companies, 95% retention rate, serving 10+ industries (source: [sitreps.com/about/clients](https://www.sitreps.com/about/clients)) - **Notable Investors / Partners**: Not listed publicly. Partner companies are not named on the website, but the client portfolio includes defense tech, software, HVAC, real estate, AI, fintech, private equity. - **Growth Signals**: - Scaling sales team from ~$2M to $30M target - Active hiring for senior roles: VP of Engagement, Head of Intelligence, Chief Operating Officer, Forward Deployed Data Scientists - Expanding into AI/agentic solutions for defense acquisition - Multiple office locations and remote/hybrid work options ## Competitive Advantages - **Authentic Veteran Community**: Sitreps began as a viral online community for veterans transitioning to business roles — now the “largest community of veterans in business in the USA,” providing unmatched access to, and credibility with, military talent. - **Dual Capability**: Combines a staffing agency with in-house defense tech software development, allowing cross-pollination of talent insights and mission understanding. - **High Retention**: 95% placement retention rate indicates strong matching and support processes. - **Clearance and Domain Expertise**: Many roles require active security clearances and deep knowledge of naval strategic programs, DoD acquisition, and intelligence — creating a high barrier for competitors. ## Strategic Focus - **Scale Revenue**: Formalizing sales processes (CRM, commissions, segmentation) with a goal of growing from ~$2M to $5M+ in the near term and eventually $30M. - **Productize Defense Tech**: Expand the maritime intelligence platform and AI/agentic solutions for broader DoD adoption. - **Deepen Government Relationships**: Hiring Engagement Directors and Account Executives for each military branch (Air Force, Navy, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps). - **Build Internal Infrastructure**: Transitioning from QuickBooks to an audit-ready ERP, adding financial controls and federal contract audit compliance. ## Why Work Here - **Mission-Driven Work**: Directly support national security and veteran employment — two high-impact, purpose-rich areas. - **Hybrid & Remote Flexibility**: Many roles offer remote options (U.S.-based); some positions require on-site presence in Arlington, VA, New York, or Litchfield, VA; a hybrid workspace is the norm. - **Career Growth**: Early-stage company where leaders are expected to build functions from scratch and grow into C-level roles (e.g., Head of Sales → CRO path). - **Diverse Roles**: Opportunities span professional services, engineering (forward deployed, data science), intelligence analysis, sales, and operations — appealing to both veterans and civilians. - **Culture**: Described as “authentic, expertise-driven, and grounded in real connection” — not a typical corporate recruiter but a community-first organization. ## Sources 1. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/sitreps-llc) – Company overview, perks, culture, job listings 2. [job-boards.greenhouse.io](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/sitrepsllc) – Official careers page with all current openings 3. [sitreps.com/about/team](https://www.sitreps.com/about/team) – Founders and team profiles 4. [sitreps.com/about/clients](https://www.sitreps.com/about/clients) – Client metrics, industries served, roles filled 5. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/sitreps-llc/jobs) – Detailed job descriptions (Head of Sales, Implementation Engineer, etc.) ## Other roles at Sitreps - [General Manager, Residential Home Services](https://feeny.ai/job/general-manager-residential-home-services-sitreps-greater-orlando-nfj8zy6tfp2t) — Greater Orlando, FL - [General Manager, Residential Home Services](https://feeny.ai/job/general-manager-residential-home-services-sitreps-space-coast-sxqq73ba97z7) — Space Coast, FL - [General Manager, Residential Home Services](https://feeny.ai/job/general-manager-residential-home-services-sitreps-salisbury-xn0qgfjhcaax) — Salisbury, MD - [General Manager, Residential Home Services](https://feeny.ai/job/general-manager-residential-home-services-sitreps-savannah-498ta3hpfvhs) — Savannah, GA - [Assistant General Manager, Residential Home Services (GM Successor)](https://feeny.ai/job/assistant-general-manager-residential-home-services-gm-successor-sitreps-t5gjdrw96g6t) — Albuquerque, NM - [Vice President of Growth, Residential Home Services (General Manager Track)](https://feeny.ai/job/vice-president-of-growth-residential-home-services-general-manager-track-dk73e5ffz99v) — Northern, NJ - [President, Residential Home Services](https://feeny.ai/job/president-residential-home-services-sitreps-baltimore-1a3ymcd4a49a) — Baltimore, MD - [Mission Lead, Protection Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-lead-protection-operations-sitreps-arlington-x5se6m9063f9) — Arlington, VA - [Forward Deployed Mission Engagement Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/forward-deployed-mission-engagement-lead-sitreps-minneapolis-te5g1qs7b0fs) — Minneapolis, MN - [Forward Deployed Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/forward-deployed-software-engineer-sitreps-in-the-p85qcphske79) — IN the, United States