Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Director, BD Capture & Strategic Programs

Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 12+ years' experience in Army ground systems acquisition, capture management, or program leadership
  • Direct familiarity with PAE Maneuver Ground platforms (Abrams, Bradley, Stryker, NGCV)
  • Demonstrated capture leadership on $50M+ competitive ground programs
  • Strong understanding of embedded training systems and gunnery simulation
  • Experience coordinating with major ground vehicle OEMs
  • Deep understanding of Army ground modernization roadmap
  • Masters degree in Engineering, Aviation Systems, Defense Studies, or related discipline
  • Active Secret clearance

Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain Capture Plans for platform-specific portfolios
  • Align training and simulation solutions with modernization objectives
  • Identify discriminators in training systems and LVC integration
  • Track and engage with platform stakeholders and associated PM offices
  • Conduct platform-specific competitor analysis and price-to-win modeling
  • Prepare and present Bid/No-Bid review packages for leadership
  • Provide win themes and support proposal review phases

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health insurance packages
  • Retirement plan contributions
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Team-oriented culture and environment
Full Job Description
The Capture Manager - Army Ground Systems is responsible for leading competitive pursuit activities aligned to PAE Maneuver Ground modernization portfolios. Following formal opportunity qualification, the Capture Manager owns the Pursuit Phase in accordance with the Opportunity Lifecycle Process. This role requires significant experience and established relationships within PAE Maneuver Ground, related PM offices, and major ground vehicle OEM ecosystems.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES: Platform-Aligned Capture Strategy
  • Develop and maintain Capture Plans specific to PM Abrams, Bradley/AMPV, Stryker, and NGCV portfolios
  • Align training and simulation solutions to platform modernization objectives
  • Identify discriminators in embedded training, gunnery systems, and LVC integration
  • Anticipate training impacts of system upgrades and capability insertions
  • Platform Stakeholder Engagement
  • Maintain relationships within PAE Maneuver Ground and associated PM offices
  • Track POM cycles, modernization increments, and acquisition roadmaps
  • Engage early through RFIs, white papers, and technical exchanges
  • Maintain detailed stakeholder mapping aligned to platform acquisition
  • OEM & Industry Integration
  • Build relationships with major ground vehicle OEMs (e.g., General Dynamics Land Systems, BAE Systems, American Rheinmetall, etc.)
  • Coordinate teaming for simulation and embedded training integration
  • Conduct capability gap analysis
  • Align Kratos as a training systems integrator within OEM ecosystems
  • Competitive Intelligence & Price-to-Win
  • Conduct platform-specific competitor analysis
  • Lead price-to-win modeling with pricing team
  • Develop should-cost awareness aligned to vehicle production realities
  • Continuously update quad charts and capture documentation
  • Bid/No-Bid Leadership
  • Prepare and present formal Bid/No-Bid review packages
  • Recommend B&P allocations aligned to modernization strategy
  • Coordinate executive approval actions
  • Proposal Phase Strategy Continuity
  • Provide win themes and discriminators
  • Support Pink and Red Team reviews
  • Ensure evaluator-centric positioning
  • Transition execution leadership to Proposal Manager

ROLE BOUNDARIES This position:
  • Does NOT own (but can contribute to) opportunity identification (BD Lead responsibility)
  • Does NOT manage proposal schedules/compliance (Proposal Manager responsibility)
  • Owns competitive pursuit strategy only
  • Maintains modernization alignment through award


  • 12+ years' experience in Army ground systems acquisition, capture management, or program leadership
  • Direct familiarity with PAE Maneuver Ground platforms (Abrams, Bradley, Stryker, NGCV)
  • Demonstrated capture leadership on $50M+ competitive ground programs
  • Strong understanding of embedded training systems and gunnery simulation
  • Experience coordinating with major ground vehicle OEMs
  • Deep understanding of Army ground modernization roadmap
  • Masters degree in Engineering, Aviation Systems, Defense Studies, or related discipline
  • Active Secret clearance

Preferred Skills/Experience
  • Prior Armor or Mechanized Army service
  • Experience supporting Abrams SEPv3 modernization
  • Experience in live-fire or gunnery simulation systems
  • Experience leading IDIQ/MATOC pursuits
  • Exposure to digital engineering and immersive training technologies

About Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. provides mission critical products, solutions, and services in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Kratos Government Solutions, Unmanned Systems, and Public Safety & Security. The Kratos Government Solutions segment offers microwave electronic products, satellite communications, training systems, modular systems, and defense and rocket support services. The Unmanned Systems segment provides unmanned aerial, ground, and seaborne, as well as command, control, and communications systems. The Public Safety & Security segment designs, engineers, deploys, operates, integrates, maintains, and operates security and surveillance solutions for homeland security, public safety, critical infrastructure, government, and commercial customers. The company serves national security related agencies, the department of defense, intelligence agencies, and classified agencies, as well as international government agencies and domestic and international commercial customers; and critical infrastructure, power generation, power transport, nuclear energy, financial, IT, healthcare, education, transportation, and petro-chemical industries, as well as government and military customers. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
Learn more about Kratos Defense and Security Solutions
Size
3,300 employees
Market Cap
$1.1 billion
Industry
Net Income
$79.6 million
Founded
1994
5 Year Trend
+8.4%
Revenue
$747.6 million
NASDAQ

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