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Vannevar Labs builds AI systems for the Department of Defense's most critical missions, with 125 deployments across every branch and combatant command. The company's approach centers on deploying engineers, product teams, and leadership directly to operational units to understand and solve real mission problems.
This is a forward-deployed Mission Lead role focused on unmanned surface vessel (USV) software. While most companies in the USV space build hulls, Vannevar is building the software that enables planning, operational monitoring, and post-mission analysis for these vessels.
You will embed with the Navy's unmanned surface vessel community in Norfolk, working on-site with USV operators and mission commanders at least 3 days per week. This is a 0-to-1 role where the doctrine for USV operations is being written in real time. Your responsibilities include:
- Embedding with USV operators and mission planners to develop deep intuition for unmanned surface operations, including underway and fleet experimentation periods
- Synthesizing operational problems from first-hand observation and translating them into specific software requirements
- Configuring and validating high-value workflows through iterative design and testing against real mission tasks
- Testing and troubleshooting product releases on deployed government systems, working with engineering to resolve issues
- Driving capability development—both configuration of existing products and net-new capability development—to solve mission problems
- Operating independently on-site while maintaining support from product, engineering, mission development, and leadership
- Generating mission wins by leveraging deployed capabilities during operations
This role requires you to decompose ambiguous operational problems, work through iteration and friction, and deliver tangible impact on how the Navy operates unmanned surface vessels. You will have access to government systems and operational environments that most of the company will not have, and you will be responsible for deciding where to focus and maximizing mission impact.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be in-person in Norfolk every week (local residency, relocation, or weekly travel)
- Experience or strong demonstrated interest in unmanned systems, unmanned surface vessels, manned surface vessels, or software relating to planning, executing, or monitoring hardware operations (e.g., space systems)
- Experience using technology to solve difficult problems, either through development experience (product or engineering) or operational experience fielding new technology in the field (e.g., military background)
- Demonstrated ability to decompose problems into component parts and creatively apply technology to solve them
- High ownership and ability to operate independently amid ambiguity
- Grit and persistence to work through iteration and friction to achieve impact
- Experience working with autonomous or unmanned platforms
- TS/SCI clearance preferred; must be eligible and willing to obtain clearance (not required at hire)
