Capture Director, Sr (Herndon)

Job Description Being on the AV Team means working alongside the brightest minds in technology on the toughest challenges facing our nation – not just every once in a while, but every single day. Together, we are leading the transformation of modern warfare and each employee plays a key role. That’s why our investment in you goes beyond a rewarding salary and benefits package. We’re committed to providing our people with the best opportunities to develop their skills, share their knowledge, and push their innovative ideas to the cutting-edge.

Worker Type Regular

Summary AV is seeking a Senior Director, Capture with demonstrated track record of success in the highly dynamic GOVCON environment.

In This Role, You Will

• Lead high-impact, classified capture pursuits in direct support of Intelligence Community (IC) customers and national security missions.
• Drive complex opportunities typically >$75M across advanced technology, C5ISR, Cyber, Space, and mission-critical intelligence solutions.
• Translate deep IC mission understanding into winning capture strategies and differentiated solutions.
• Operate with discretion and autonomy in highly classified environments, aligning closely with IC stakeholders and internal leadership.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end capture execution for classified IC pursuits, from qualification through proposal submission.
• Shape capture strategies tailored to IC, space and advanced research and development customers, aligning technical approaches, operational concepts, and security requirements to mission objectives.
• Develop and execute capture plans including competitive positioning, teaming strategies, staffing approaches, pricing, win strategies and customer engagement.
• Build and maintain detailed IC, space and advanced research and development customer profiles, including mission priorities, acquisition behaviors, decision cycles, and evaluation preferences.
• Partner with Line of Business leadership, Solution Architects, and SMEs to develop credible, executable, and mission-aligned solutions.
• Prepare and lead internal milestone, gate, and risk reviews in compliance with internal governance and security protocols.
• Manage B&P budgets, forecasts, and resource alignment to ensure disciplined, cost-effective capture execution.
• Serve as the focal point for cross-functional capture teams, coordinating operations, solutioning, pricing, proposal, contracts, and security.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
• Bachelor's Degree in a related field of study is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• 12+ years of experience in the Intelligence Community or supporting IC missions, including leadership of complex programs, projects, or mission teams.
• 7+ years of experience leading capture, solution architecture, or proposal efforts for DoW or IC pursuits, with demonstrated contribution to winning outcomes.
• Deep understanding of IC and DOW customer missions, culture, procurement processes, and security requirements.
• Strong ability to translate mission needs into operational and technical approaches suitable for capture and proposal efforts.
• Experience managing budgets, resources, and priorities in high-tempo, mission-focused environments.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, including engagement with senior government and industry stakeholders.
• Ability to operate independently, exercise sound judgment, and influence outcomes in a matrixed organization.
• Experience with non-traditional acquisition strategies (e.g., OTA, CSO) in classified or IC contexts.
• Familiarity with key IC contract vehicles, customers, and competitive landscape.
• Experience with Salesforce CRM.
• Ability to travel, as necessary, in support of capture activities.

Clearance Level

Top Secret with Poly

The Salary Range For This Role Is

$175,000 - $280,000

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR

• 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits : AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:

We also encourage you to review our company website at to learn more about us.

EEO statements: We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

About AV AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.