--- title: 'Weapon Systems Instructor at Kraken Kinetics' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/weapon-systems-instructor-kraken-kinetics-pinehurst-j3ccfew7pj75' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-05' --- # Weapon Systems Instructor at Kraken Kinetics - **Company:** Kraken Kinetics - **Location:** Pinehurst - **Compensation:** $90k–$115k - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-07-20 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-05 - **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/kraken-kinetics/73eb353d-4122-468d-a8b8-f286124e247e ## Job description ## ABOUT KRAKEN KINETICS Kraken Kinetics designs and manufactures advanced kinetic solutions that enable modern warfighting capabilities for the United States Armed Forces and its allies. We specialize in mission-tailored warheads and firing systems for unmanned and autonomous weapon platforms, delivering production-ready solutions at speed to address urgent national security challenges. Our team brings decades of specialized Department of War experience across the full lifecycle of kinetic system development—from concept and design through testing, manufacturing, and operational deployment. Built on a foundation of work that helped lead the DoW into the era of kinetic drones, Kraken Kinetics combines commercial agility with deep technical expertise to deliver DEFINITIVE LETHALITY™ when it matters most. ## POSITION SUMMARY Location: On-site at our Pinehurst-area location with domestic and international travel. The Weapon Systems Instructor – Level I serves as a frontline instructor and field representative for Kraken Kinetics, responsible for delivering standardized training programs supporting Kraken Kinetics product lines and platform integrations. Reporting to the Director of Training, this role executes New Equipment Training (NET) events, supports certification activities, and assists in the development and refinement of training materials. Level I Instructors maintain operational proficiency across supported product configurations while ensuring safe, professional, and standardized instruction. This position represents Kraken Kinetics during domestic and international training engagements and supports the collection of operational feedback to inform ongoing product and training improvements. ## Key Responsibilities Training Execution & Deployment Leadership - Deliver standardized Periods of Instruction (POIs) in accordance with the Kraken Kinetics Training Program. - Support and execute domestic and international New Equipment Training (NET) events. - Assist in live-fly, live-fire, and operator certification events. - Conduct student evaluations, teach-backs, and performance assessments. - Ensure instructional delivery is consistent with approved courseware and training standards. Operational & Platform Proficiency - Maintain working knowledge of Kraken Kinetics product lines and partner platform integrations. - Understand operational considerations across supported drone platforms and vendors. - Maintain deployment readiness and instructional proficiency standards established by the Director of Training. Safety & Risk Mitigation - Enforce established safety procedures, range protocols, and risk mitigation standards during training events. - Identify unsafe conditions or integration concerns and elevate to senior instructors or training leadership. - Support safe handling and operational employment of controlled kinetic systems. Training Development & Continuous Improvement - Assist in the development and revision of training materials, operator guides, and instructional aids. - Ensure instructional delivery reflects current engineering revisions and system configurations. - Document field observations and submit structured feedback reports to the Training Division. - Contribute to after-action reviews and training improvement efforts. Professional Representation - Represent Kraken Kinetics during training engagements, demonstrations, and industry events. - Maintain high standards of professionalism, communication, and operational credibility. - Support partner integration efforts alongside customer and vendor personnel when required. ## QUALIFICATIONS Required - Demonstrated experience with controlled kinetic systems, weaponized UAS platforms, or munitions integration. - Experience operating in live-fire, safety-critical, or high-risk operational environments. - Prior instructional, evaluator, or team-lead experience in a military or comparable operational environment. - Strong understanding of range safety principles and risk mitigation practices. - Ability to travel domestically and internationally in support of training events. - Ability to travel domestically and internationally in support of training events. (50%) Physical - Ability to work in the field and austere environments for up to 15 hours at a time - Ability to wear body armor, helmet, and other PPE for extended durations of up to 15 hours - Experience working with demolitions and conducting high-risk training evolution - Ability to lift 100 lbs from the ground to above waist level on a regular basis - Comfortable with high OPTEMPO travel of up to 50% - Ability to work in all weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold, for extended periods of time ## Preferred - Veteran with experience in combat arms, EOD, fires, SOF, tactical UAS, or related operational specialties. - Experience with kinetic drone employment or fire control integration. - Prior experience delivering formal training or certification events. - Familiarity with multi-platform UAS integration environments. - Experience supporting partner or international training engagements. ## SALARY & BENEFITS Kraken Kinetics is committed to offering a competitive compensation package to attract and retain top talent. This full-time, exempt position offers an annual salary range of $90,000- $115,000 depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits included: - Generous PTO policy - Comprehensive medical coverage (80% company-paid for employee + dependents). - Vision & dental (100% company-paid) - Short and long-term disability coverage (100% company-paid) - Generous 401(k) retirement plan - Company-paid life insurance - Great teammates and well stocked snacks ## LIFE IN MOORE COUNTY, NC (PINEHURST AREA) Kraken Kinetics is based in Moore County, North Carolina, home to Pinehurst, a nationally recognized destination offering an exceptional quality of life. Employees benefit from a low cost of living, minimal congestion, and a strong sense of community, with easy access to larger metropolitan areas, including Raleigh-Durham. Whether you're looking to accelerate your career or put down long-term roots, the Pinehurst area offers a compelling alternative to traditional tech and defense hubs. We are committed to supporting relocation for the right candidates. Watch what it’s like to live here: [ Video Link] https://youtu.be/gXuJhhVhcn8 ## EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Kraken Kinetics is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and welcome applicants of all backgrounds. ## About Kraken Kinetics ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Kraken Kinetics provides mission-tailored kinetic solutions for modern weapon systems, focusing on unmanned and autonomous delivery platforms, to enhance warfighting capabilities for the U.S. Armed Forces and allies. - **Entity Type**: Private (early stage, no disclosed funding) - **Headquarters**: Moore County (Pinehurst), North Carolina, United States - **Founded**: 2023 - **Founders**: Brian Davis (Founder and President) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Defense and Space Manufacturing (Aerospace & Defense) - **Target customers**: U.S. Department of Defense, allied governments, defense technology partners (B2G, B2B) - **Mission or purpose statement**: "Definitive Lethality" – to create advanced kinetic solutions to defeat adversaries on the modern battlefield, making it their mission and responsibility as Americans to deliver definitive lethality. ## Products & Services - **Safe and Arm Devices**: Purpose-built devices for unmanned/autonomous platforms, featuring triple independent arming switches, redundant safety mechanisms, environmental sensors, arming delay circuits, and flexible triggering criteria. Options range from low-voltage cost-effective to high-voltage MIL-STD compliant configurations. - **Shaped Charge Warheads**: Focus explosive energy through a metal liner to produce a high-velocity jet capable of penetrating thick armor at defined standoff distances. - **Explosively Formed Projectile (EFP) Warheads**: Engineered for significant penetration effects while being insensitive to standoff variability, circumventing enemy anti-armor countermeasures. - **Thermobaric Warheads**: Effective against personnel and structures when delivered within the target. - **Tungsten Fragmentation Warheads**: Tailored for delivery system and mission to balance fragment size, velocity, pattern density, and coverage area to neutralize materiel and personnel targets. - **Reactive Material Warheads**: Optimal for thin-skinned materiel targets containing sensitive electronics or flammable materials. - **Thermite Torch Payloads**: Bond to materiel targets, rapidly pierce up to several inches of steel, and initiate combustion events. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available - **Key Metric**: Total employees – 21 (~244% YoY growth as of mid-2026) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly available; clients include the U.S. Government, allies, and defense technology partners - **Growth Signals**: Employee headcount grew from ~6 to 21 in about a year (+244% YoY); 11 active job postings (as of mid-2026); LinkedIn followers grew +187.6% YoY to ~4,843; multiple senior hires (Head of People, General Counsel, Head of IT, Director of Logistics, Director of Engineering, Head of Strategic Partnerships). ## Competitive Advantages - **Deep DoD pedigree**: Leadership team originally formed the core of a government program that led the DoD into the era of kinetic drones, with over 40 years of combined experience in design, testing, manufacturing, and operational deployment of kinetic systems. - **Rapid concept-to-deployment**: Proprietary design tools and empirically derived knowledge base allow swift progression from requirements analysis through model-build-test cycles to manufacturing. - **Proven manufacturing focus**: Solutions are designed for manufacturing from the outset, enabling rapid scaling. - **Broad warhead expertise**: In-house capability across multiple warhead types (shaped charge, EFP, thermobaric, fragmentation, reactive material, thermite torch) and safe/arm fuzing systems. ## Strategic Focus - Scaling the organization (hiring across engineering, manufacturing, quality, finance, recruiting, and account management). - Expanding government and industry partnerships (active roles for Account Manager – Government Relations and Account Manager – Industry Relations). - Continuing to develop next-generation kinetic solutions for unmanned and autonomous delivery platforms. - Maintaining commercial agility while meeting MIL-STD compliance and operational security needs. ## Why Work Here - **Mission-driven work**: Directly contributes to national security and equipping U.S. forces and allies with advanced lethality. - **Rapid growth environment**: Young company (founded 2023) with triple-digit headcount growth, offering early-stage impact and career acceleration. - **Hybrid/In-Office flexibility**: Hybrid workspace in Pinehurst, NC; some roles are listed as in-office. Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work. - **Tight-knit, expert team**: Small team (21 employees) with deep defense experience; employees come from backgrounds in aerospace, defense, and military (including USMC, AECOM, AEVEX, etc.). - **Cross-functional exposure**: Roles span engineering (Mechanical, Electrical), manufacturing (Warhead Fabricator, Fulfillment Lead), quality (Quality Manager, Safety Manager), finance (Controller, Financial Analyst), and people operations (Recruiter, Head of People). ## Sources 1. [Kraken Kinetics Official Website](https://www.krakenkinetics.com/) 2. [Built In Company Profile](https://builtin.com/company/kraken-kinetics) 3. [Built In Jobs Page](https://builtin.com/company/kraken-kinetics/jobs) 4. [LinkedIn Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/kraken-kinetics) 5. 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