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Defense Sector Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

... or defense sector in areas related to joint operations, combat systems, research and development (R&D), science and technology (S&T), or mission planning. * Broad knowledge across defense ...

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Defense Sector information

See Virginia salary details

$29.2K

$106.3K

$195K

How much do defense sector jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense sector in Virginia is $106,349.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,481.00 and $157,063.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the defense sector?

The defense sector refers to the industry and government organizations involved in national security and the protection of a country's interests. This includes military forces, defense contractors, intelligence agencies, and supporting industries that provide equipment, technology, and services. The sector plays a crucial role in maintaining peace, responding to threats, and supporting international commitments. Careers in the defense sector can range from engineering and cybersecurity to logistics and policy analysis.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the defense sector, and why are they important?

To thrive in the defense sector, professionals need a solid background in security protocols, project management, and often a relevant degree in fields like engineering, cybersecurity, or international relations. Familiarity with classified information systems, defense-specific software, and security clearances are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, integrity, and effective communication set individuals apart in this field. These skills are critical for safeguarding sensitive information, supporting national security objectives, and ensuring operational success in high-stakes environments.

What are some common challenges faced when working in the defense sector and how can new employees best prepare for them?

Professionals in the defense sector often encounter challenges related to strict security protocols, rapidly evolving technology, and the need for precise documentation. New employees may also need to adapt to working within highly regulated environments and cross-functional teams, sometimes under tight deadlines. To prepare, it's helpful to familiarize yourself with relevant compliance standards, stay current with industry advancements, and develop strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

What is the difference between Defense Sector vs Security Analyst?

AspectDefense SectorSecurity Analyst
Required CredentialsSecurity clearances, military or defense-related certificationsCybersecurity certifications (CISSP, CompTIA Security+), sometimes security clearances
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, defense contractors, military facilitiesCorporate offices, cybersecurity firms, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily defense and military sectorsPrivate sector, cybersecurity industry, government agencies

The Defense Sector involves working on national security projects, often requiring security clearances and military-related certifications, within government or defense contractor environments. Security Analysts focus on protecting organizational information systems, typically in corporate or cybersecurity settings, with relevant cybersecurity certifications. While both roles emphasize security, the Defense Sector is more specialized in national defense, whereas Security Analysts work broadly in cybersecurity across various industries.

What are popular job titles related to Defense Sector jobs in Virginia?

For Defense Sector jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Defense Sector job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,349 per year, or $51.1 per hour.

Senior Product Marketing Director, Public Sector

Arlington, VA โ€ข On-site

Dataminr
Software Developmentย โ€ขย 501 - 1,000 employees

$139K - $182K/yr

Full-time

PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

See yourself at Dataminr
Are you a seasoned Defense and National Security domain expert with a passion for driving market success? Dataminr is seeking an industry-focused and mission driven Senior Director of Product Marketing to take ownership of the narrative, positioning, and market presence of Dataminr First Alert - our AI-powered, real-time critical event discovery solution for defense organizations.
This is your chance to be the primary product marketing authority for First Alert. It's a hands-on, execution-driven role that requires a unique blend of deep defense and national-security experience, with exceptional writing and messaging discipline. If you're ready to shape the story of a groundbreaking AI solution that impacts national security, make your mark and apply today!
AI Innovation at Dataminr
Working at Dataminr you'll have the opportunity to tackle the most exciting trends in AI on a daily basis to power a revolutionary product that uncovers critical events around the world as they unfold.
Regenerative AI: our AI technology, ReGenAI, is a new form of generative AI that automatically regenerates real-time Live Event Briefs as events unfold. Learn more here.
Agentic AI: we recently launched our Agentic AI capability, what we're calling our Intel Agents, that autonomously generates critical context for our clients on real-time events, threats, and risks allowing them to see the clearest, most accurate view of what's happening on the ground. Learn more here
Multimodal AI:our platform detects events from many different types of data (images, video, sensor data, audio, and text in over 150 languages). Learn more here.
The opportunity
  • Own and operationalize the product marketing strategy for First Alert (Dataminr's flagship Public Sector product), orchestrating cross-functional teams to deliver measurable impact on growth, adoption, and market positioning.
  • Personally author and develop high-impact customer- and sales-facing content, including building strong win stories, operational use cases and competitive analysis.
  • Partner closely with Product Management to identify needs, establish key product requirements, influence the product roadmap and drive product launches.
  • Support sales and customer enablement with focused messaging and content.
  • Act as a domain expert, representing Dataminr externally through industry forums, thought leadership, analyst briefings, and sales interactions.

What you bring
At Dataminr, we value you for who you are. We encourage you to apply for this role, even if you don't meet every qualification. Our candidates are reviewed on the basis of their skill and potential to succeed.
  • 12+ years of experience in product marketing, strategy, or related roles.
  • Experience working on AI-driven products within the defense sector is required
  • Must have prior defense sector experience, including practical experience working alongside or within government, military, or intelligence agencies
  • Experience in GovTech, public safety, or mission-critical B2G SaaS.
  • Exceptional writing and communication skills, with a focus on marketing content creation for public sector clients.
  • Strong executive presence and ability to engage senior stakeholders.

#LI-BM
About Dataminr
At Dataminr, we are a mission driven team of talented builders, creators and visionaries who have real-world impact on how organizations are able to respond to events. Dataminr's groundbreaking, AI-powered, intelligence platform provides organizations with the earliest signals of emerging risks, events, and threats before they unfold. Trusted by two-thirds of the Fortune 50 and half of the Fortune 100, Dataminr's platform analyzes billions of public data inputs spanning text, image, video, audio and sensor data across 150+ languages, empowering our clients to stay one step ahead in an increasingly complex world where every second counts.
Founded in 2009, we have pioneered the world's first real-time event detection platform, long before the recent Gen AI 'boom.' Dataminr operates all around the world united by our passion to use AI for the greater good, be agents of positive change and put our technology into the hands of clients charged with the responsibility to keep organizations running and keep people safe.
As our employees focus on developing our revolutionary technology, we focus on our employees. Dataminr is proud to offer a variety of flexible work arrangements, offices all over the world to foster collaboration, generous PTO and sick leave, and more, as part of our competitive benefits package aimed at keeping all our employees happy and healthy. Explore all our benefits here.
We believe our differences give us strength. Our employees are empowered to be their best, authentic selves through various opportunities, such as our robust employee resource group (ERG) network, manager development programming, professional development funds, and more.
We serve a global community made up of many cultures and strive to reflect the world and clients we serve, with a workforce built on merit and equity. We actively condemn racism and discrimination in any form. We stand for social good, fostering a culture of allyship, and standing up for those who face systemic barriers to equality. We lead with empathy and strive to be agents of positive change in our company and in our communities.
The annual base salary range for this position is $180,800 - $265,500. You will also be eligible to receive a discretionary bonus and Company equity. Actual salary will be based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, applicant skills, and prior relevant experience.
Dataminr is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Individuals seeking employment at Dataminr are considered without regards to race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, pregnancy, unemployment status, sexual orientation, citizenship status or veteran status.
Dataminr will collect and process your personal data in accordance with Dataminr's candidate privacy notice available here. By providing your details and applying via our careers website, you acknowledge that you have read our candidate privacy notice. If you have any queries, please contact recruiting@dataminr.com or privacy@dataminr.com
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