Director of Defense

About the Role

The marine sector, vital for recreation, global trade, and national defense, has seen little technological advancement in the last fifty years. Arc is revolutionizing this industry by electrifying marine propulsion systems, redesigning powertrains, software, and vessels from the ground up. After a successful launch aimed at consumer markets, the company is expanding its production and introducing new models tailored for commercial applications including tugs, ferries, and defense sectors.

We are seeking a Director of Defense who will lead the establishment and growth of Arc's Defense division. This role involves strategizing and building a team to position Arc as a recognized partner for the U.S. military, allied nations, and the defense industrial base. This highly visible position will influence the future integration of electric marine propulsion in defense and autonomous maritime systems over the coming decade. The position is based in Torrance, CA at our headquarters, requires full-time onsite presence, and reports directly to the CTO.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and own a multi-year Defense strategy encompassing all military branches and related government organizations aligning with company goals.
• Recruit, build, and manage the Defense team covering sales, business development, and technical program management.
• Implement operational rhythms and maintain rigorous forecasting and pipeline management for a sustainable defense business.
• Act as the principal representative to the Department of Defense, military service branches, primes, and allied partners to secure major contracts.
• Lead capture strategies and execution for key defense procurement initiatives.
• Identify and align defense programs and contracting vehicles with Arc’s powertrain and distribution technologies, including emerging product lines like Golden Fleet.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Engineering, Product, Operations) to translate military requirements into product development roadmaps.
• Provide market insights and competitive intelligence to influence corporate strategy while representing Arc at industry forums and government engagements.
• Establish foundational compliance processes including ITAR, CMMC, and security clearance requirements to support growth in defense markets.

Minimum Qualifications

• Over 10 years of experience in defense, aerospace, maritime, or dual-use hardware fields, including at least 4 years leading and expanding teams; prior experience in founding or scaling a defense department highly valued.
• Proven successes in securing and managing major defense programs, including leadership in capture on official programs, OTAs, or prime subcontracting.
• Strong established networks within Navy, USMC, USCG, SOCOM, or key OSD offices, and credibility with prime contractors and new entrants in maritime and unmanned sectors.
• Extensive knowledge of the Defense Industrial Base, acquisition processes, and a comprehensive understanding of procurement channels from SBIR to programs of record.
• Exceptional executive communication and presence to represent the company to military flag officers, senior acquisition personnel, major primes, and Congressional staff.
• Comfortable working in ambiguous environments, building capabilities from scratch, and balancing short-term revenue with long-term market positioning.
• Bachelor’s degree is mandatory; MBA, advanced technical degree, or military experience is advantageous.
• Must be a U.S. Person under ITAR regulations to access export-controlled information.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 30–40%, including destinations such as Washington D.C., Norfolk, and San Diego.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience at innovative defense tech companies.
• Background in strategy consulting.
• Familiarity with maritime industries or government agencies focused on marine domains.
• Direct involvement with government program offices like PEO USC, PMS 406, NAVSEA.
• Knowledge of autonomy, robotics, and maritime systems technologies.
• Passion for boating and interest in clean energy solutions.

Compensation and Benefits

The role offers a base salary of $270,000 per year, with eligibility for deal-based incentives. This compensation reflects the California location and may vary based on applicant’s geographic location.

Arc offers comprehensive employee benefits including:

• Majority employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Parental leave with 14 weeks fully paid for all parents.
• Competitive paid time off with potential increases based on tenure.
• Life and disability insurance coverage.
• Traditional and Roth 401(k) retirement plans.
• An annual $500 personal allowance to enjoy boating activities.
• $500 yearly professional development reimbursement plus a monthly AI stipend.
• Annual reimbursement for personal protective equipment, ergonomic gear, and safety-related items.
• Training and opportunities to operate Arc’s boats recreationally.
• Daily onsite lunches, snacks, and quality coffee.
• Relocation assistance subject to eligibility.

Company Values

• Taking ownership of both individual responsibilities and the broader success of the company.
• Showing empathy for colleagues and clients.
• Maintaining humility in problem-solving and collaborative efforts.
• Applying pragmatism to navigate uncertain situations swiftly and sensibly.
• Fostering inclusion by embracing diverse backgrounds, viewpoints, cultures, and perspectives.

Additional Information

The company values passion and aptitude highly and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals regardless of background or identity. Applicants not meeting all qualifications are encouraged to apply. This position requires U.S. person status due to export control regulations.