Targeting SME

About the role

You will serve as the primary targeting subject matter expert within the Spear AI team, owning the end-to-end translation of complex operational targeting problems into actionable technical solutions. In this capacity, you will bring combatant command targeting expertise to bear across the entire Joint Targeting Cycle, ensuring that mission-critical workflows are informed by deep operational realities. You will identify integration opportunities between existing operational workflows, disparate data sources, and emerging AI-enabled capabilities to create coherent targeting architectures. You will apply advanced, systems-level target development and target system analysis to actively shape the direction of our capabilities and inform our product strategy. You will translate intricate operational targeting processes into clear, developer-consumable workflows, requirements, and user stories that drive efficient implementation. You will communicate nuanced architectural tradeoffs, technical risks, integration constraints, and reasoned recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences with precision and clarity. You will coordinate closely with operational users, platform owners, and technical development teams to align priorities and resolve dependencies throughout the project lifecycle. Finally, you will maintain a current awareness of theater-level targeting coordination across joint forces and service organizations to ensure our solutions remain relevant and effective in real-world environments.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Translate complex operational targeting requirements into structured developer-consumable workflows, user stories, and system specifications that guide implementation.
• Apply advanced target development and target system analysis methodologies to define and refine high-value targets and associated systems of interest.
• Identify and evaluate integration opportunities between operational workflows, intelligence data sources, and AI-enabled capabilities to enhance overall targeting effectiveness.
• Communicate architectural tradeoffs, technical risks, integration constraints, and recommended courses of action clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Coordinate requirements and priorities across operational users, platform owners, and technical development teams to ensure alignment and timely delivery.
• Bring combatant command targeting expertise to bear across the full Joint Targeting Cycle, from planning and preparation to execution and assessment.
• Maintain awareness of theater-level targeting coordination activities across joint and service organizations to anticipate needs and adjust solutions.
• Work with joint targeting tools, intelligence platforms, and data environments while respecting their governance structures and ownership models.
• Translate complex operational processes into iterative, agile workflows that enable rapid capability delivery and continuous user feedback.
• Support periodic travel, approximately every 30 days, to combatant commands, service components, operational units, and industry or vendor locations.
• Operate effectively within fast-paced, multi-vendor, government-led development environments that feature evolving priorities and strict timelines.
• Contribute to the development of sonobuoy sensors and related data collection systems that directly impact warfighter capabilities and mission success.
• Collaborate with hardware and software teams to ensure that targeting workflows are technically feasible and operationally sound.
• Leverage deep understanding of intelligence support to targeting, including object-based intelligence practices and detailed target development.

Requirements

• Hold active U.S. citizenship and be eligible for a U.S. government security clearance.
• Possess an active Top Secret/Secret clearance and be able to obtain and maintain a Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph.
• Demonstrate recent, operational experience supporting the Joint Targeting Cycle within a combatant command environment.
• Show a deep understanding of intelligence support to targeting, including object-based intelligence, target development, and target system analysis.
• Have direct experience in COCOM targeting support roles, such as within a Joint Intelligence Center or equivalent CCMD J2T/J2C/J23 function.
• Exhibit advanced capability in target development and target system analysis across complex operational environments.
• Prove the ability to move fluidly between operational floor activities and technical development teams to solve engineering problems.
• Be a U.S. citizen, as required by our engagement with U.S. government clients and partners.
• Demonstrate the ability to support periodic travel, approximately every 30 days, to joint command locations and operational environments.
• Thrive in fast-paced, multi-vendor, government-led development environments where priorities evolve rapidly.
• Communicate effectively in writing and verbally with technical developers, operational users, senior leaders, and external vendors.
• Maintain strict professionalism and discretion when handling classified information and sensitive operational data.
• Align work habits with the demands of mission-critical defense contracting and tight delivery timelines.
• Respect the governance, ownership, and access constraints associated with classified data sources and joint military tools.

Nice to have

• Have prior CENTCOM targeting experience, ideally within a joint targeting or intelligence role.
• Bring advanced target development or target system analysis experience from DIA or a CCMD J2 organization.
• Understand weaponeering workflows and target-to-effects integration processes within operational settings.
• Maintain existing relationships with operational platform or data owners that can validate requirements and test solutions.
• Have experience supporting Department of Defense software, AI/ML, or operational capability development programs.
• Worked in classified operational environments and successfully navigated cross-domain data constraints and security protocols.
• Follow Agile development practices, rapid capability delivery models, and iterative user-feedback cycles.
• Have prior Military Intelligence or Intelligence Community experience that informs operational decision-making.

Practical notes

• Engagement is full_time, with expectations for significant operational availability and travel approximately every 30 days.
• Travel may be required to Combatant Commands, service components, operational units, and vendor or industry facilities.
• U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a government security clearance are mandatory and non-negotiable requirements.
• Candidates must be able to comply with all Spear AI policies regarding classified information handling and operational security.
• This role operates within the fast-paced context of defense contracting, requiring adaptability to evolving government priorities and strict timelines.