Senior Manager, Growth – Special Operations (SOCOM)

The role

This person will lead growth initiatives across the U.S. Special Operations community. They will identify, qualify, capture, and shape opportunities to expand presence within USSOCOM and related organizations.

What you will do

• Develop and execute the business development strategy for USSOCOM and related Special Operations organizations.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with key stakeholders across USSOCOM, TSOCs, SOF Components, and acquisition organizations.
• Identify, qualify, and mature new opportunities across autonomous maritime systems and related domains.
• Develop and manage a qualified pipeline from early customer engagement through award.
• Influence customer requirements by engaging with operators, acquisition professionals, and mission planners.
• Lead capture planning, competitive assessments, and win strategies.
• Partner with Engineering, Product Management, Government Affairs, and Program Management.
• Represent Saronic at SOF industry conferences, experimentation events, and demonstrations.
• Identify strategic partnerships with prime contractors, technology companies, and mission partners.
• Monitor acquisition strategies, funding, and emerging SOF capability gaps.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Political Science, International Relations, or a related field.
• 8+ years of business development, capture, military, or government experience supporting the Department of Defense.
• Demonstrated success winning and capturing DoD opportunities from identification through contract award.
• Existing relationships across USSOCOM, SOF Components, Program Executive Offices, acquisition organizations, or the broader Special Operations enterprise.
• Strong understanding of DoD and SOF acquisition processes, OTA agreements, FAR-based contracting, SBIR/STTR programs, and rapid acquisition pathways.
• Knowledge of autonomous systems, unmanned maritime platforms, defense technology, or related capabilities.
• Excellent executive communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment with minimal oversight.
• Willingness to travel approximately 40–60%.

Nice to have

• Former Special Operations military experience (e.g., SEAL, SWCC, MARSOC, Army Special Forces, Ranger Regiment, Air Force Special Warfare, or Coast Guard MSRT/MSST) or extensive experience supporting t
• Existing network across USSOCOM headquarters, SOF Components, TSOCs, PEO-SOF Warrior, SOFWERX, DIU, NavalX, DARPA, and other defense innovation organizations.
• Experience with autonomous systems, unmanned surface vessels, maritime operations, ISR, C5ISR, or AI-enabled defense technologies.
• Experience supporting demonstrations, exercises, experimentation campaigns, or operational user evaluations.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance: Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents
• Dental and Vision Insurance: Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents
• Generous PTO and Holidays
• Paid maternity and paternity leave
• Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Equity options
• Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage
• Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline
• Free lunch benefit
• Unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office

Before you apply

• Requires access to export-controlled information or items that require U.S. Person status (U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, or certain protected classes asylees and refugees).

About the company

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms.