Capture & Proposal Lead

Artificial intelligence is changing war - making decisions in combat quicker and more accurate, while enabling information to be shared more rapidly across both America’s and her adversaries’ militaries. Modern Intelligence builds Sovereign, the first defense-purpose foundation AI for unmanned systems, to be the standard battlefield AI on every Western unmanned system. Today, Sovereign allows drones as varied as unmanned vessels on water to backpack attack quadcopters to see, decide, and act even when jammed. We believe the responsibility of reliably and ethically building lethally autonomous AI is immense to our service members, the American people, and civilians everywhere. 

Modern Intelligence has worked with partners across the Department of War including the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Special Operations Command (SOCOM), the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, and countless unmanned systems hardware companies. 

We have raised more than $22M in venture capital from Exponential, Oxford Funds, Bedrock, Vine Ventures, Contrary, Air Street, Caffeinated, Champion Hill, Swell, Myelin, and others.

Details

We have been founder-led on capture and proposals since 2021. You will be our first dedicated Capture & Propose hire.

You own each proposal from bid/no-bid through submission: capture plan, compliance matrix, schedule, color teams, and coordinating cost volume with finance. Engineers will write the technical sections with you. You’ll build and maintain a living library of past performance and boilerplate so we reuse what already works.

We pursue DoW contracts via SBIR/STTR, AFWERX, Army xTech, DIU, SOFWERX, OTAs, CSOs, and BAAs that fit our technology. Wins often land as a sub on a partner’s vehicle or as a software CLIN inside a larger contract. When we bid alongside a manufacturer, you’ll work with Partnerships to help write those bids and win those contracts.

This role is on-site in Austin, or remote from the DC area until we open an office there. Travel as required for customer meetings, industry days, and demos.

Requirements

4+ years in capture, proposals, or government business development at a defense, dual-use, hardware, or deep-tech company
Experience managing government proposals from the decision to bid through submission
Experience writing RFI and RFP responses, white papers, and proposals for SBIRs, OTAs, CSOs, BAAs, or FAR/DFARS solicitations
Experience managing deadlines, compliance matrices, and color team reviews
Understanding of DoW acquisition and how to structure proposals, including past performance and win themes
Ability to turn technical input from engineers and founders into clear, compliant proposals without overstating the product
Ability to distill robust technical AI/ML concepts and differentiators through clear, concise, and compelling written and verbal communication.
Experience tracking pursuits a CRM and reporting progress to the executive team
Regular use of AI tools for research, first drafts, compliance checks, and editing
Must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)). This role works with export-controlled technology.

Preferred Qualifications

• Capture or proposal experience with autonomy, robotics, aerospace, or defense software
• Wins as a subcontractor or software provider on a partner vehicle
• Relationships with PEOs, program offices, or innovation units
• Familiarity with FAR/DFARS and Shipley- or APMP-style capture process
• Experience building a capture or proposal function at a startup