Scout Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The future of defense will be decided by those who field intelligent machines at scale. At Scout AI, we're developing Fury, the first robotic foundation model for defense, to give U.S. forces overwhelming, adaptable, and autonomous power across every domain. Fury enables human operators to command fleets of robots through natural language, and empowers those machines to sense, decide, and act together as one. This mission will ask everything of us: urgency, precision, and relentless work.

The Role
We are seeking a Director of Business Development to lead our Air Dominance division and its growth strategy, capturing opportunities across the Army, Air Force, and Navy aerial autonomy programs. This role will be pivotal in expanding Scout AI's aerial portfolio, shaping opportunities with DoD stakeholders, and ensuring that our technology reaches the operators who need it most. The ideal candidate is a proven growth leader with deep experience in aviation and missile programs, defense acquisition, and the capture of complex unmanned systems programs.

We're a startup. You'll be moving fast, context-switching daily, and helping define the culture and process as we go. This is a rare opportunity to come in early and architect the future of defense.

Responsibilities

• Generate and capture new business opportunities. Lead efforts to identify, pursue, and secure new programs across the Army, Air Force, and Navy unmanned/autonomy portfolios. Build a deep understanding of the existing and prospective client base, programmatic roadmaps, and the competitive landscape
• Engage senior stakeholders. Establish and maintain trusted relationships with acquisition leaders, program managers, operators, and requirements owners across relevant PEO's and organizations
• Grow existing programs. Partner with Scout's engineering and product teams to expand current work, identify adjacent opportunities, and drive additional value for existing customers
• Shape requirements and inform product development. Translate operator needs, mission gaps, and emerging concepts of operations into actionable direction for Scout's product roadmap. Ensure customer insights directly influence priorities and execution
• Lead capture campaigns. Drive the full lifecycle of business development efforts: pipeline development, positioning, proposal authoring, and closing contract awards
• Represent Scout AI externally. Serve as an ambassador for Scout's mission, articulating our competitive edge and value proposition to senior leaders, operators, industry partners, and the broader defense ecosystem

Qualifications

• 10+ years in Army, Air Force, Navy, or related unmanned aerial systems roles, with a strong track record of shaping and capturing defense programs
• Demonstrated success leading 0-to-1 program captures and transitioning prototypes into Programs of Record
• Deep understanding of U.S. DoD acquisition pathways, PPBE process, requirements generation, government contracting, and budgeting, especially in the context of moving prototypes into full production
• Established network across relevant program offices, program managers, and acquisition related organizations
• Ability to translate complex operational needs into actionable product direction and build, adapt, and implement innovative approaches to market
• A driven, hands-on leader who exhibits strong management skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire both internal teams and external stakeholders
• Exceptional written and verbal skills with experience briefing senior defense leadership and building consensus across diverse audiences
• Ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial, high-tempo setting and independently deliver results that move the mission forward
• Ability to travel 25-40%
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities
• Passion about defense of the United States and its allies
• May be expected to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance

Why Join Scout

• Work on the world's most important frontier, ensuring U.S. and allied dominance in the age of intelligent machines
• Drive growth for Fury, the first robotic foundation model built for defense
• Work with top talent in autonomy, AI, and national security
• See your impact as systems move from prototype to Program of Record
• Build and scale Scout's Air Dominance division from day one
• Join a mission-driven team backed by world-class investors including Booz Allen Ventures and Draper Associates

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and bonus
• Meaningful equity
• Premium medical, dental, and vision plans with $0 paycheck contribution
• Competitive PTO and company holiday calendar
• Catered lunch daily and fully stocked kitchen
• EV charging
• Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility)