Department of War Programs & Capture Officer
Location: Baltimore, MD, on-site required
Type: Full-time, senior leadership role
About Early Charm
Early Charm advances science from concept through production. We design, prototype, and manufacture advanced materials and engineered systems with an emphasis on U.S.-based production and programs that must transition, scale, and deliver.
We work early with program offices, government labs, and industry to shape programs that are executable from the start. By engaging upstream and staying involved through delivery, we reduce handoff risk and keep programs aligned with real technical and manufacturing constraints.
Early Charm operates in Baltimore and brings together engineering, science, manufacturing, and operations under one roof. This integrated structure allows us to own schedule, performance, and early production risk while supporting programs that need continuity rather than one-off development.
Our work spans defense, energy, industrial, and life sciences applications, where reliability, production readiness, and domestic supply chains matter. Early Charm is built to support sustained programs that extend beyond early development into long-term execution.
The Role
Early Charm is seeking a senior officer to originate, shape, and secure Department of War funding as both a prime and a subcontractor. This position is a member of the company’s leadership team and plays a central role in setting strategy for government programs and overall company operations.
The Department of War Programs & Capture Officer reports directly to the Executive Officer and is a peer of the Business Officer, Commercialization Officer, and Science Officer. The role owns the full lifecycle of opportunity development, from early program officer engagement through award and early execution, and is responsible for translating Early Charm’s advanced materials and engineered systems capabilities into funded DoW programs.
This is not a proposal coordination or grants administration role. It is a capture-driven, execution-facing leadership position with clear accountability for outcomes.
Responsibilities
- Identify, shape, and win DoW opportunities aligned with Early Charm’s capabilities
- Build and manage direct relationships with DoW program officers and contracting officers
- Lead capture strategy for BAAs, OTAs, SBIRs, and new program acquisitions
- Structure prime and subcontractor roles to maximize long-term program value
- Drive transitions from early R&D efforts into production-oriented programs
- Partner closely with the internal technical teams to ensure programs are executable
- Own early execution handoff to ensure awarded programs launch cleanly and credibly
- Participate as a member of the leadership team in setting company strategy
What Success Looks Like
Success in this role is defined by building a durable and growing DoW contract portfolio that materially changes the scale of Early Charm’s government business. Early Charm already has a track record with government programs; this role exists to accelerate and professionalize capture, not to create it from scratch.
The right candidate will
- Rapidly convert existing credibility into new awards
- Establish repeatable pipelines with DoW program offices and contracting organizations
- Pull the organization forward into larger, more strategic programs
- Lead positioning strategies that increase competitiveness and transition velocity
Qualifications
- Demonstrated success securing DoW funding as a prime or major subcontractor
- Experience with BAAs, OTAs, SBIR Phase II, and R&D contracts
- Comfort operating in a small, technically sophisticated organization
- Ability to engage credibly with senior DoW stakeholders
- Strong judgment around program selection, pacing, and risk
- Clear bias toward execution and accountability
Why This Role
This is a senior capture role with real authority and real expectations. The Department of War Programs & Capture Officer will play a central role in scaling Early Charm’s portfolio and transitioning advanced materials and engineered systems into sustained, mission-relevant programs.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $125,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Location:
- Baltimore, MD 21230 (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Baltimore, MD 21230 (Required)
Work Location: In person
