Machine Learning Defense Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Capture Manager is accountable for end-to-end ownership of high-value defense capture campaigns, with a specific emphasis on Aircraft integration, technical services, and mission system sustainment environments. This individual operates as the architect of win strategy—aligning customer insight, solution shaping, teaming, and pricing into a coherent, decisive campaign that consistently outperforms peer competitors.

This role requires experience navigating acquisition environments, including aircraft systems integration, platform modernization, C5ISR, and lifecycle technical services, while also demonstrating working knowledge of Dow/DoD acquisition processes, organizations, and mission priorities. The Capture Manager must translate operational and engineering realities across multiple services into executable capture strategies that resonate with both government customers and primes.

In addition to delivering winning outcomes, this role carries responsibility for strengthening GMRE’s culture, internal trust, and long-term growth capability. The Business Development organization operates as a high-functioning, high-accountability team where trust, responsiveness, and work ethic are baseline expectations. This position requires consistent follow-through, transparency in execution, and the ability to operate effectively in an environment with minimal oversight and strong expectations for building GMRE’s capture capability.

This role is not transactional. It demands strategic judgment, adversarial thinking, and the ability to translate GMRE capabilities into tangible competitive advantage within the DoW/DoD and IC acquisition ecosystem.

CORE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Capture Leadership & Strategy
• Lead capture efforts on strategic pursuits aligned to GMRE’s growth objectives, typically in the $50M–$500M range, with expansion potential.
• Lead and shape capture strategies within aircraft integration and technical services domains, while supporting and contributing to opportunities aligned to GMRE’s core capabilities in technical services, integration, and sustainment.
• Develop and execute multi-year capture roadmaps aligned to customer mission priorities, budget cycles, and threat evolution.
• Translate corporate growth strategy into actionable capture plans and pipeline priorities.
• Own win strategy development, execution, and accountability from early shaping through award.
• Lead Black Hat / Red Team / Blue Team activities with rigor comparable to peer threat modeling.
• Serve as the single accountable authority for win probability, strategy coherence, and execution discipline.
• AI-Enabled Capture Execution
• Apply AI-driven tools and methodologies to:
• Customer insight analysis and stakeholder mapping
• Competitive intelligence analysis and positioning
• Win theme optimization and narrative testing
• Price-to-win modeling and sensitivity analysis
• Leverage machine learning, NLP, and data analytics to improve speed, accuracy, and repeatability of capture decisions.
• Partner with technical leadership to shape AI-enabled solutions that align with government modernization, autonomy, and decision-advantage priorities.
• Ensure AI usage complies with ethical AI, data security, and governance standards.
• Cultural Leadership & Internal Relationships
• Operate effectively within a high-performing Business Development team that relies on trust, accountability, and consistent execution rather than process enforcement.
• Key behaviors: enterprise-first thinking, ownership under pressure, developing others, and enforcing standards consistently.
• Demonstrate a strong work ethic, ownership mentality, and responsiveness expected in a lean, high-output growth organization.
• Build durable, trust-based relationships across Business Development, Operations, Technical Teams, Proposal Management, and Executive Leadership.
• Lead with low ego and high standards, fostering collaboration rather than hierarchy.
• Mentor and elevate internal talent, helping institutionalize capture excellence across the company.
• Make decisions that balance win pressure with long-term organizational health and reputation.
• Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
• Build and sustain trusted relationships with senior government stakeholders (O-6/SES/GS-15+), primes, and strategic partners.
• Develop and maintain relationships within DoW/DoD organizations (e.g., AFLCMC, SAF/ACQ, NAVSEA, NAVAIR, NAWC) and, as well as associated prime contractors.
• Demonstrate the ability to engage across both DoW/DoD customer sets, understanding differences in acquisition pathways, funding, and mission drivers.
• Translating customer mission pain points into discriminating solution architectures.
• Influence acquisition strategies pre-solicitation through disciplined shaping activities.
• Teaming, Pricing & Governance
• Identify, vet, and integrate teaming partners that strengthen technical and past-performance credibility.
• Lead price-to-win efforts in coordination with finance, ensuring competitiveness without erosion of strategic margin.
• Enforce capture governance, reviews, and compliance without sacrificing agility.
• Opportunity Identification and Qualification:
• Identify and assess potential federal government contracting opportunities through research, relationships, and market analysis.
• Develop a deep understanding of customer needs and the competitive landscape.
• Lead the qualification process to determine which opportunities align with the company’s capabilities and strategic goals.
• Proposal Coordination:
• Work closely with the proposal team to ensure the proposal aligns with the capture strategy and includes all necessary technical, management, and cost elements.
• Review and approve key proposal documents, including the executive summary, technical approach, and past performance sections.
• Support proposal reviews to ensure compliance with RFP requirements and company standards.
• Market and Competitor Analysis:
• Analyze trends in the federal marketplace and evaluate competitor capabilities and offerings to identify strengths, weaknesses, and competitive advantages.
• Track and interpret federal contracting opportunities, including task orders, IDIQs, RFQs, RFPs, and GSA schedules.
• Provide regular updates to leadership on competitive intelligence and market changes.
• Risk Management:
• Identify and assess risks associated with each opportunity and develop mitigation strategies.
• Support the company in compliance matters, including regulations (FAR, DFARS, etc.), and ensure alignment with government requirements.

THIS ROLE IS NOT FOR YOU IF:

• You rely on relationships over strategy
• You require structured oversight to perform
• You prefer working opportunities over building systems
• You are uncomfortable with accountability for win/loss outcomes

WHY WORK FOR GMRE?

GMRE is a small veteran-owned company who cares about our employees. We offer health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), vacation, Paid Time Off (PTO), or Paid Sick Leave (PSL) based on state laws, paid holidays, and life insurance to all permanent full-time employees. GMRE’s mission is to provide high quality engineering and technical services to help our customers grow and succeed.

GMRE is an equal opportunity employer. GMRE is committed to making employment decisions based on valid requirements, without regard to age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local laws.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of Dow/DoDacquisition environments, with the ability to adapt capture strategies across service-specific processes and cultures.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in high-trust, high-autonomy environments with strong expectations for individual accountability.
• Strong work ethic with the ability to manage multiple priorities without degradation in quality or responsiveness.
• Advanced capture management capability across the full lifecycle of complex defense pursuits.
• Strategic thinking and adversarial analysis skills, including competitive assessment and win strategy development.
• Ability to apply AI, data analytics, and automation practically to capture management and decision-making.
• Strong judgment under ambiguity and pressure.
• High emotional intelligence with the ability to build trust and influence without formal authority.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to mentor teams and elevate organizational performance.
• Ethical decision-making and sound risk management.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Ability to work flexible hours and be available to respond on short notice as needed.
• Ability to maintain professional appearance

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (business, engineering, computer science, or related discipline required; advanced degree preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in defense capture, business development, program strategy, or closely related roles.
• In lieu of education, 15 years of related experience and 10 years of federal capture management or business development, with a proven track record of successfully capturing federal government contracts
• Direct experience supporting aircraft programs or captures in integration, technical services, sustainment, or platform modernization environments required.
• Experience supporting Air Force or Navy aircraft programs, acquisitions, or customers strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading captures exceeding $100M+ total contract value.
• Deep working knowledge of:
• FAR/DFARS and defense acquisition pathways
• DoD budget, POM, and requirements processes
• Prime–sub dynamics and competitive defense markets
• Experience collaborating with technical teams on AI-enabled, cyber, data analytics, or advanced technology solutions.
• Shipley Capture and Proposal Training is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and executing successful capture plans, strategies, and proposals.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with federal customers and key stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively present complex concepts and ideas.
• Experience in managing and mentoring capture teams.
• Preferred Qualifications
• Experience working across DoW/DoD aircraft domains, including exposure to service-specific acquisition organizations (e.g., AFLCMC, SAF/ACQ, NAVSEA, NAVAIR, NIWC).
• Prior military service or direct experience in the Defense sector.
• Familiarity with government AI initiatives and modernization offices.
• Established relationships with key federal government agencies and decision-makers.
• Knowledge of federal contract types and pricing mechanisms (e.g., Cost Plus, Fixed Price, Time & Materials).
• Relevant certifications (e.g., Capture Management Professional (CMP), APMP, etc.).

SECURITY CLEARANCE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• A clearance is not required but the ability to obtain an active U.S. SECRET clearance is preferred.
• Driving or renting a car for company business is expected with some frequency. For insurance purposes, a valid driver’s license is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

TRAVEL REQUIRED

• Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position for meetings, training, and/or site visits.
• This position will travel up to 25% of the time out of state and overnight.