Careers outside the driver's seat

Help Us Build the Most Trusted Government Freight Operation in the Country

Southwest Expedited is reactivating its DOD-certified transportation operations with a clear mission: build a lean, elite, high-trust freight network focused on sensitive, secure, and high-value government freight.

We’re not hiring job-seekers.
We’re hiring builders — leaders ready to roll up their sleeves and help launch something rare: a mission-driven transportation company with the agility of a startup and the credibility of a legacy carrier.

We’ve maintained our certifications, authorities, and insurance for years — now we’re ready to activate and scale. 

Current Opportunities:

🔹Director of Operations, Co-Founder

Location: Phoenix, AZ or Coeur d’Alene, ID (Hybrid Preferred)
Compensation: Competitive Base + Bonuses + Profit Sharing + Equity Path

You’ll be responsible for building and managing our fleet of professional drivers and owner-operators. Your mission is to create capacity, ensure compliance, and execute operations across multiple lanes with precision and integrity.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Oversee OTR operations for owner-operators and company drivers

  • Recruit and manage high-performing drivers and teams

  • Design and implement scalable dispatch, compliance, and performance systems

  • Collaborate with the Director of Defense Logistics to match capacity with secure loads

  • Build SOPs, KPIs, and operational tools for efficiency and growth

Ideal Background:

  • 5+ years managing OTR operations and driver recruitment

  • Experience with government, sensitive, or high-security freight preferred

  • Familiarity with DOT/FMCSA compliance and fleet oversight

  • Proven success managing owner-operators or running your own small fleet

  • Strong leadership, logistics, and systems thinking

Full Description

🔹 Director of Operations, Co-Founder

  • Location: Hybrid (Phoenix, AZ or Coeur d’Alene, ID Preferred)
  • Type: Full-Time | Senior-Level | Leadership | Co-Founder
  • Compensation: Competitive Base + Performance Bonus + Equity + Profit Sharing

🧭 About the Role

Southwest Expedited is relaunching its specialized freight operations with a focus on government, military, and specialized freight. We’re seeking a senior transportation professional with recent and relevant experience overseeing OTR operations, preferably for a fleet of owner-operators. You’ll be responsible for building and managing our trucking capacity — from recruiting drivers, teams, and support staff, and matching equipment, to managing dispatch, compliance, and day-to-day operations. Previously, Southwest Expedited has served the high tech market in Phoenix with a 15 trailer drop/hook operation running approximately 25 local loads per day. Our DOT is seasoned and we’ve held certification with the US Army SDDC since 2023.

This is a ground-floor leadership opportunity in a company that already holds DOD certifications and credentials — you’ll bring the operational brainpower and leadership experience to turn that paper into a boots-on-the-ground movement. You’ll operate in tandem with the Director of Defense Logistics to build a scalable operation with high standards, clear procedures, and operational excellence. 

🎯 Responsibilities

  • Lead day-to-day trucking operations, including dispatch, route planning, equipment management, and carrier vetting.

     

  • Recruit and contract owner-operators and team drivers, with a focus on high-quality, reliable capacity.

     

  • Collaborate closely with the Director of Defense Logistics to align loads with available trucks.

     

  • Oversee all DOT compliance, safety, and driver onboarding procedures.

     

  • Develop and track KPIs for driver utilization, performance, safety, and on-time delivery.

     

  • Build dispatch systems and workflows that can scale.

     

  • Design operating procedures for different types of freight (e.g. Hazmat, secure, time-sensitive).

     

  • Participate in company planning and help shape hiring, budgeting, and strategic decisions.

     

  • Support drivers with a “driver-first” mindset while upholding performance standards.

     

✅ Ideal Background

  • 5+ years experience in OTR trucking operations and fleet management.

     

  • Experience managing fleets of owner-operators, preferably in specialized, sensitive, and Hazmat freight.

     

  • Strong knowledge of FMCSA/DOT compliance.

     

  • Demonstrated success in building trucking teams from scratch or scaling operations.

     

  • Ability to work lean, solve problems independently, and adjust to fast growth.

     

  • Prior entrepreneurial or startup experience is a plus.

     

💸 Compensation & Incentives

  • Competitive base salary based on industry benchmarks ($130K–$170K+ depending on experience)

     

  • Bonus structure tied to hiring, capacity growth, driver retention, and performance KPIs

     

  • Equity + profit sharing after meeting agreed-upon 12-month milestones

     

  • Hybrid work model with flexibility (HQ in Phoenix or Coeur d’Alene preferred)

     

  • Executive-level growth potential

🎯 Why Join Southwest Expedited?

You’ll be joining a company that has:

  • Proven performance and existing DOD certification

     

  • Active authority, insurance, and government registrations

     

  • Strong founder support and startup capital

     

  • Clear runway to grow a high-integrity, mission-driven operation

     

And you’ll be the one shaping it — not inheriting broken systems or old problems.

*The ideal candidate is someone who not only possesses the knowledge and experience as outlined, but someone who is in a moment in their career where they want more. You want to scale up, you want to build something, you want to lead, teach, and grow. You must have the drive and determination to succeed, to do hard things, and push for the win.

  • The Mission: You’re not just hauling freight; you’re supporting warfighters and national security.

     

  • The Build Opportunity: No red tape. No bureaucracy. Ownership. You will architect the system and lead the team.

     

  • Share future upside: Equity and profit share make you part of the founding team — not just an employee.

     

  • Guarantee transparency and clarity: Goals, expectations, and reward structures will be clearly discussed and defined together before hiring.

 

Start Conversation about this role
🔹 Director of Defense Logistics, Co-Founder

Location: Phoenix, AZ or Coeur d’Alene, ID (Hybrid Preferred)
Compensation: Competitive Base + Performance Bonuses + Equity + Profit Sharing

You’ll serve as the tactical lead and strategic architect of our military and government freight operations. From sourcing loads to mastering TEAMS, GFM, ATR, and ETA systems, this is a hands-on, high-impact role built for someone who knows this space inside and out.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Manage all DOD and secure freight relationships and routing

  • Work directly within military freight systems (SDDC TEAMS, GFM, ATR, etc.)

  • Create and submit tenders, monitor capacity, manage lanes and timelines

  • Build new DOD and federal customer relationships while maintaining compliance

  • Hire and lead a team of Military Freight Agents as the operation scales

Ideal Background:

  • 5+ years in DOD/government freight or defense transportation

  • Fluent in military systems: TEAMS, GFM, ATR, ETA

  • Strong understanding of AA&E, Hazmat, and secure freight handling

  • Background in military freight sales, brokerage, or dispatch

  • Networked in the government freight world; can bring relationships or customers

Full Description

🔹 Director of Defense Logistics, Co-Founder

  • Location: Hybrid (Phoenix, AZ or Coeur d’Alene, ID Preferred)
  • Type: Full-Time | Senior-Level | Leadership | Co-Founder
  • Compensation: Competitive Base + Performance Bonus + Equity + Profit Sharing

🧭 About the Role

Southwest Expedited is seeking a battle-tested logistics expert with deep experience in Department of Defense freight operations to relaunch and scale our military freight business. As Director of Defense Logistics, you’ll spearhead strategy and execution for all DOD and government freight movement — from day one. Your mission: build a lean, agile, and respected operation capable of securing and executing high-value, sensitive, and specialized military shipments. Previously, Southwest Expedited has served the high tech market in Phoenix with a 15 trailer drop/hook operation running approximately 25 local loads per day. Our DOT is seasoned and we’ve held certification with the US Army SDDC since 2023.

This is a ground-floor leadership opportunity in a company that already holds DOD certifications and credentials — you’ll bring the operational brainpower and leadership experience to turn that paper into a boots-on-the-ground movement. You’ll operate in tandem with the Director of Transportation Operations to build a scalable operation with high standards, clear procedures, and operational excellence.

🎯 Responsibilities

  • Direct and manage all aspects of sourcing military freight. Develop a clear path to expanding the business to specialized, negotiated, and hazmat freight, AA&E, TSP, sensitive cargo, and time-critical shipments including Constant Surveillance Service (CIS), Dual Driver Protective Service (DDP), Satellite Motor Surveillance Service (SNS), Trailer Tracking Service (DCS), and/or Signature and Tally Record Service (675).

     

  • Work hands-on with DOD freight systems: SDDC GFM, ATR, CAVS, NRO, TEOW and others.

     

  • Develop and grow strong relationships with military shippers, TSPs, and government contacts.

     

  • Manage military freight tenders; optimize routing, scheduling, and compliance.

     

  • Work closely with the Director of Transportation Operations to align freight capacity with mission requirements.

     

  • Build SOPs, templates, and internal systems for future scale and training.

     

  • Lead your team and set aggressive but achievable growth goals.

     

  • Hire, mentor, and manage your team of Military Freight Agents as the operation grows.

     

  • Represent Southwest Expedited with integrity, reliability, and expertise in every interaction with the government and defense ecosystem.

     

  • This role is part logistics and part sales.

     

✅ Ideal Background

  • 5+ years experience working with DOD/Military Freight, preferably at a brokerage or carrier.

     

  • Proven success using and teaching SDDC TEAMS GFM, ATR, SAM, CAVS, TEOW and relevant systems.

     

  • Experience moving AA&E, Hazmat, TSP, and sensitive security freight is a strong plus.

     

  • A network of relationships within the military logistics and freight community.

     

  • Strong understanding of relevant DTRs.
  • Strong grasp of government contracting, carrier qualification, and tender management.

     

  • Leadership/management experience, with the ability to build and coach a high-performing team.

     

  • Strategic thinker with a “get it done” attitude, especially in a lean startup-style setting.

     

💸 Compensation & Incentives

  • Competitive base salary aligned with industry senior logistics roles ($130K–$170K+ depending on experience)

     

  • Goal-based performance bonuses, tied to revenue, growth, driver retention, and performance KPIs

  • Equity and profit sharing granted upon hitting growth milestones (negotiated pre-hire)

     

  • Flexible hybrid work model (HQ in Phoenix or Coeur d’Alene preferred)

     

  • Executive-level growth potential

     

🎯 Why Join Southwest Expedited?

You’ll be joining a company that has:

  • Proven past performance and existing DOD certification

     

  • Active authority, insurance, and government registrations

     

  • Strong founder support and startup capital

     

  • Clear runway to grow a high-integrity, mission-driven operation

     

And you’ll be the one shaping it — not inheriting broken systems or old problems.

*The ideal candidate is someone who not only possesses the knowledge and experience as outlined, but someone who is in a moment in their career where they want more. You want to scale up, you want to build something, you want to lead, teach, and grow. You must have the drive and determination to succeed, to do hard things, and push for the win.

  • The Mission: You’re not just hauling freight; you’re supporting warfighters and national security.

     

  • The Build Opportunity: No red tape. No bureaucracy. Ownership. You will architect the system and lead the team.

     

  • Share future upside: Equity and profit share make you part of the founding team — not just an employee.

     

  • Guarantee transparency and clarity: Goals, expectations, and reward structures will be clearly discussed and defined together before hiring.
Start Conversation about this role

🎖 Why Join Southwest Expedited?

  • A Rare Opportunity to Build: We’re relaunching a proven company — you’ll shape the future.

  • Founder-Led and Fully Funded: No red tape. We’re lean, aggressive, and mission-aligned.

  • Equity and Profit Sharing Available: Real ownership tied to real results.

  • High-Trust Environment: You’re here to lead — not be micromanaged.

  • Sensitive Freight, Serious Work: You’ll be supporting government, military, and national-security-critical freight from day one.

🔒 Security Requirements

All team members must:
✅ Be a U.S. Citizen
✅ Have or be able to obtain a Security Clearance
✅ Meet all FMCSA and DoD standards for clearance and eligibility

📋 Ideal Candidates:

*The ideal candidate is someone who not only possesses the knowledge and experience as outlined, but someone who is in a moment in their career where they want more. You want to scale up, you want to build something, you want to lead, teach, and grow. You must have the drive and determination to succeed, to do hard things, and push for the win.

  • The Mission: You’re not just hauling freight; you’re supporting warfighters and national security.

  • The Build Opportunity: No red tape. No bureaucracy. Ownership. You will architect the system and lead the team.

  • Share future upside: Equity and profit share make you part of the founding team — not just an employee.

  • Guaranteed transparency and clarity: Goals, expectations, and reward structures will be clearly discussed and defined together before hiring.
Work With Us

Drive with Purpose. Deliver with Pride.

Join a Team That Moves More Than Freight
Make a real impact by delivering critical freight for the U.S. Military and top industries—and build a rewarding career with top pay and benefits.

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National Defense Transportation Association