Capture Manager, Strategic Growth & Government Markets

Performance Drone Works (PDW) is building the next generation of tactical robotic systems used across defense, national security, and public safety missions. We are building a new center of engineering excellence to design our new category of tactical robotic systems and the industrial capacity to deliver them, bringing decisive airpower into the hands of every operator. We are not here to make promises; we are here to deliver real systems with real capabilities for real missions. 

You will join a team of operators, engineers, and builders who solve hard problems with humility and focus. We design and produce multi-mission aerial systems that operators trust to perform in real-world conditions, reliably, repeatedly, and at scale. Our approach is grounded in operator-centered design, rapid iteration from field use, and U.S.-based manufacturing. We operate by a clear set of values: Mission First, Aim Farther, Own It, Win Together. This is how we build advantage and how we help protect our service members, our communities, and our country. 

Now, we’re entering a new phase of growth and are looking for a Capture Manager to join our Strategic Growth team. Reporting to senior business leadership, this individual will operate at the intersection of sales, business development, strategy, and operational execution.

The successful candidate will possess a deep understanding of government acquisition, defense technology, and emerging operational requirements shaping the future battlefield and public safety landscape. You will identify, prioritize, and drive strategic opportunities from early market awareness through contract award while serving as a force multiplier for PDW's sales and account management teams. You will leverage modern AI-enabled tools, market intelligence platforms, and data-driven workflows to enhance opportunity identification, customer engagement, and capture execution.

If you are mission-focused, thrive in ambiguity, and enjoy connecting strategy to execution across multiple stakeholders, our Go-to-Market team is interested in speaking with you.

What You'll Do

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of PDW's products, services, technologies, and strategic partnerships.
• Identify, qualify, prioritize, and manage a portfolio of strategic opportunities across DoD, Federal Civilian, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, and allied international customers.
• Monitor emerging requirements, budget activity, acquisition forecasts, contracting vehicles, operational needs, and geopolitical developments.
• Build and maintain detailed account, opportunity, and campaign plans.
• Partner closely with account managers, business development professionals, engineering teams, product managers, and executive leadership.
• Develop customer stakeholder maps, acquisition strategies, competitive assessments, win themes, and capture plans.
• Understand government funding mechanisms including Procurement, RDT&E, O&M, FMS, and security assistance programs.
• Utilize AI-enabled tools, CRM platforms, market intelligence systems, and data analytics solutions.
• Coordinate across domestic and international sales teams.
• Support development of proposals, white papers, RFIs, demonstrations, capability briefings, and executive engagements.
• Represent PDW at military exercises, conferences, trade shows, industry events, demonstrations, and customer meetings.
• Maintain awareness of evolving drone, autonomy, AI, counter-UAS, robotics, and software-enabled defense technologies.
• Serve as a trusted advisor by synthesizing market intelligence and competitive insights.

Requirements

• 7-12 years of experience in defense, national security, federal government, law enforcement, business development, capture management, operational military service, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading capture efforts within DoD, Federal Civilian, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, or International government markets.
• Strong understanding of government acquisition processes, contracting methodologies, budget cycles, and funding mechanisms.
• Experience identifying and qualifying opportunities through all phases of the business development and capture lifecycle.
• Familiarity with defense technology markets, particularly unmanned systems, drones, robotics, autonomy, artificial intelligence, sensor technologies, communications systems, and related capabilities.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and managing multiple strategic priorities simultaneously.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Experience utilizing CRM systems, market intelligence tools, AI-enabled software platforms, and productivity applications.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Highly organized with demonstrated project management and execution capabilities.
• Ability to operate independently while effectively collaborating across multiple stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree preferred. Relevant experience may substitute for formal education.
• Military service is highly desirable.
• Experience supporting international defense sales, FMS, or allied government engagements is preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance. Existing clearance preferred.
• Ability to travel based on customer engagement, business development, and Go-to-Market (GTM) requirements, including occasional international travel.

Physical Requirements

Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about regularly throughout the day and lift/carry up to 50 pounds. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment and be physically capable of attending customer meetings, field events, and trade shows.

Work Environment

This position typically operates in office, manufacturing, test, and customer environments. This role requires use of standard office equipment and travel to customer locations, military installations, law enforcement facilities, trade shows, demonstrations, and international partner sites based on customer engagement and Go-to-Market requirements. This is a fast-paced work environment requiring collaboration across business development, engineering, product, manufacturing, operations, and executive leadership teams.

Compensation

Base salary for this role is $120,000-$150,000 per year, based on experience, plus performance-based incentive compensation.

Benefits 

PDW values our team, and we offer a compensation package reflective of your experience and capabilities. Benefits include: 

• Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage; 80% sponsored by the company. 

• Safe Harbor 401(K) with company match. 

• Paid Parental Leave. 

• On-site gym at our Huntsville, AL location. 

• Employer provided life insurance. 

• Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP). 

• A work environment that encourages teamwork and innovation. 

• Competitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options. 

 

EEO Statement 

PDW is an equal opportunity employer that upholds all federal and state non-discrimination laws. We ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation for employment for all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.