Tycho AI Inc. VP, Federal Growth & Capture Washington, DC · Full time Company website

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Tycho AI develops advanced visual autonomy and navigation systems, enabling unmanned aerial vehicles to reliably operate in GPS-denied and adverse environments. Our unique strength lies in our integrated approach—combining proprietary AI-driven software, low-SWaP hardware optimization, and multi-modal sensor fusion—to deliver robust autonomy solutions trusted by leading aerospace and defense organizations.

The Opportunity

Tycho AI is seeking a hands-on, mission-driven VP of Business Development to lead our growth in the defense sector. This role is ideal for someone with deep experience in DoD capture, from shaping SBIR/OTA/DIU opportunities to securing production contracts through PEOs. As our first go-to-market executive, you’ll report directly to the CEO, own the pipeline, build our capture strategy from the ground up, and help scale technology that redefines mission-assured autonomy.

What You’ll Do

• Lead all DoD capture activities—from pipeline building to contract award
• Shape and qualify new opportunities via SBIR, OTA, and prototype-to-program pathways
• Build and manage senior relationships across DoD innovation hubs, PEOs, and labs
• Coordinate solutioning with engineering, SMEs, and external partners
• Oversee proposal development (technical and pricing support via contractors or fractional leads)
• Report pipeline and milestone progress directly to the CEO and Executive Chair
• Represent Tycho AI at key industry events (SOF Week, NDIA, TechConnect, SXSW, etc.)
• Support strategy for transition to large-scale production contracts 

You’ll Excel If You Have

• 10–15+ years in capture, BD, or program strategy for dual-use or DoD tech
• Demonstrated success with SBIRs, OTAs, or DIU/AFWERX-style contracts
• Familiarity with DoD acquisition pathways (FAR, non-FAR, PEOs, etc.)
• Strong writing and storytelling capabilities (white papers, CONOPS, exec briefs)
• A network inside DoD and USG, including innovation units and decision-makers
• A founder’s mindset: hands-on, outcomes-driven, and comfortable building from scratch

Why Join Tycho AI

• We’re a mission-first company focusing on delivering products that solve the most challenging problem sets in AI and autonomy
• You’ll have a direct line to the CEO and Executive Chair
• You’ll benefit from C-level Influence on the strategy and structure of Tycho AI’s go-to-market and capture functions
• Be part of a startup with real traction and growing fast