Director, Strategy & Market

Who We Are

At Firestorm, we’re on a mission to revolutionize how defense solutions are designed and delivered. Our goal is to empower U.S. ally nations to effectively deter aggressors — regardless of their defense budget — through innovative, cost-efficient technologies. We call this vision “democratized deterrence.” As a VC-backed company at the intersection of defense and Silicon Valley, we’re pioneering the development of mission-adaptable aerial vehicles that put power back into the hands of operators. By prioritizing operator effectiveness, we’re pioneering a new era of aerial vehicle design. We aim to upend the traditional defense procurement model by delivering world-class capabilities at a fraction of the usual cost. Join us at Firestorm as we redefine defense procurement, making cutting-edge technology accessible to all at a fraction of the cost. 

About the Role

 Firestorm Labs is seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Strategy & Market to lead the company’s strategic roadmap, drive go-to-market initiatives, and shape critical long-term capture opportunities with the United States Department of Defense, allied partners, and international customers. The ideal candidate is passionate about strengthening U.S. and allied defense capabilities, understands the nuances of the DoD acquisition ecosystem, and is energized by the opportunity to position Firestorm as a next-generation defense technology leader.
This position requires a leader who can think creatively, navigate complex acquisition pathways, and deliver results in a fast-moving environment. The Director will identify and pursue high-impact programs, propose innovative solutions, and capture opportunities that align Firestorm’s modular, autonomous, and rapidly deployable systems with national and international defense priorities.
At Firestorm Labs, capability is delivered to the warfighter at the speed of relevance through advanced autonomy, modular systems, and rapid manufacturing. The Director will leverage these cutting-edge technologies to accelerate innovation, close capability gaps highlighted in the National Defense Authorization process, and help revitalize the technological and operational advantage of U.S. and allied forces globally. This position offers significant visibility and frequent engagement with internal and external stakeholders in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

What You'll Do

• Reporting directly to the Chief Strategy Officer and working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, execute capture strategies that drive top-line growth across the Department of Defense, U.S. Military branches and international partners.
• Lead the strategic campaign to identify, shape, propose, and capture programs that align Firestorm’s modular unmanned systems, autonomy stack, and rapid manufacturing capabilities with DoD and NDA priorities.
• Develop pipeline opportunities, qualify leads, and oversee pursuit strategies for major programs and contracts in close partnership with the VP of Business Development and the broader BD team.
• Foster existing relationships and expand the current portfolio through consistent engagement with key stakeholders and warfighter communities.
• Collaborate with product managers, engineering, operations and program management teams to align Firestorm’s offerings with customer missions and emerging requirements.
• Negotiate and close complex, high-value contracts with international and domestic defense customers, ensuring alignment with Firestorm’s strategic objectives.
• Represent Firestorm Labs at global defense exhibitions, industry forums, and government-led initiatives to strengthen brand, thought leadership and strategic visibility.
• Track competitor activities, industry trends, and policy/regulatory developments impacting autonomy, additive manufacturing, and other emerging defense technologies.
• Deliver annual revenue, bookings, and growth targets for assigned opportunities in partnership with BD leadership.
• Develop and implement long-term strategies to capture Programs of Record and emerging technology initiatives, including key hires and team development to support growth.
• Shape business opportunities by understanding customer requirements, capability gaps, and acquisition timelines, with a focus on INDOPACOM and other priority operational theaters.
• Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, providing insights and recommendations on capture strategies, capital allocation, and strategic partnerships.

Minimum Qualifications

 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, International Relations, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in defense strategy, capture management, or gove