Director Technology and Mission Engagement

At Areté, we develop advanced technologies that deliver mission-critical capabilities across the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC). We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee- owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth.

Discover your future with us.

We are seeking an experienced individual who excels at strategic customer engagement, technology transition, and mission alignment. As a director-level leader through influence, you will help guide emerging technologies from early and mid-TRL development into the hands of operational users, ensuring they address high-priority mission needs across Navy, IC, and broader DoD communities. This role is ideal for someone who thrives at building trusted relationships, shaping opportunities, and strengthening the connection between mission demands and Areté's technical innovation. This position is based at our Falls Church, VA office and is a non-supervisory, exempt, full-time position.

Primary Responsibilities:

Strategic Customer Engagement & Relationship Building:

• Engage U.S. Navy leadership at multiple levels to align Areté technologies with current and emerging mission priorities.
• Extend outreach to Intelligence Community organizations and other DoD mission partners to support cross-enterprise alignment.
• Build and sustain trusted stakeholder relationships that support collaboration, early opportunity discovery, and long-term strategic positioning.
• Help open doors and shape discussions around evolving mission needs, capability gaps, and technology pathways.

Technology Transition & Mission Impact:

• Lead strategic efforts to mature technologies from early/mid-TRL stages into deployed, mission-impacting capabilities.
• Support planning and development of sustainment concepts and long-term support plans for fielded systems.
• Provide operational and mission context to ensure transition strategies align with user needs and stakeholder expectations.

Cross-Organizational Coordination, Influence & Proposal Expertise:

• Deliver mission-focused insight and customer context to Sector leadership during strategic planning and execution.
• Support Arete's Strategic Technology Acceleration Cell to help align technical development and business strategy with mission needs.
• Collaborate across engineering, business development, and strategy teams to deepen enterprise understanding of Navy, IC, and DoD priorities.
• Serve as a subject-matter advisor during proposal development to ensure customer alignment, mission relevance, and clear articulation of capability value.

Enterprise Responsiveness:

• Support emerging priorities from the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) and contribute to rapid organizational alignment as new opportunities arise.

We have an impressive range of benefits, programs, and perks that we offer: Generous PTO and Leave Times:

• Flextime Scheduling
• Bereavement
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Parental Leave

Financial Benefits:

• Company-funded 5% contribution to your 401(k) retirement plan
• Company-funded 5% contribution to your Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• Continuing Education Assistance

Health, Medical, and Wellness Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Vision Reimbursement

What We Value:

• Creativity and innovation in solving challenges
• Integrity and responsibility in all actions
• Collaboration across
• Responsiveness in fast-paced environments
• Passion for national security and excellence

Experiences and Background We Look For (Required Skills):

• Active Top Secret security clearance, with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships across Navy, IC, or DoD mission communities.
• Experience supporting the maturation and transition of technologies into operational or fielded environments.
• Strong leadership through influence - skilled at guiding and coordinating teams without direct supervisory authority.
• Understanding of mission need identification, acquisition or requirements processes, and technology adoption pathways.
• Ability to shape opportunities and communicate customer priorities effectively to technical teams.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with comfort providing advisory input during proposal development.
• Ability to operate effectively in dynamic environments with evolving mission demands.

Nice to Have (Preferred Skills):

• Experience engaging with Navy program offices, warfare centers, resource sponsors, IC organizations, or other DoD components.
• Background in technology transition, program strategy, or advanced systems development.
• Experience supporting cross-functional mission and technical discussions.
• Understanding of TRL progression, testing/evaluation, sustainment planning, and operational integration.

The salary range for this role is $220,000 to $230,000; however, Arete considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to: the position and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills.

Other Considerations:

Areté is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination, and we believe every person has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and equal consideration.

Areté is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility.

Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility.

Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Areté will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website because of your disability. To request an accommodation, please contact Areté Human Resources at 818-885-2200 for assistance.