About Us

Leonid Capital Partners is a private credit direct lending firm focused exclusively on the U.S. National Security sector. We provide senior secured corporate debt financing to innovative government contractors, enabling rapid execution on mission-critical technologies. Our borrowers range from venture-backed startups to established defense firms, and our investors include leading institutions that recognize the resilience of defense and national security investments.

Role overview:

We are hiring an Origination Associate to lead sourcing and relationship development across defense and dual-use technology. You will own a qualified pipeline, deepen relationships with founders and partners, and drive transactions from first touch through closing. The role blends market coverage, credit thinking, and cross-functional execution. Success looks like consistent deal flow that fits our thesis and moves efficiently to term sheets and funding.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead deal sourcing and coverage across priority subsectors and agencies, leveraging research, award data, events, and LCP’s network
• Own founder and intermediary relationships and run first-pass credit screening to qualify opportunities quickly
• Structure opportunities and support negotiations through term sheets, covenants, and closing checklists in coordination with legal and underwriting
• Direct market and contract diligence including award history, funding profiles, contract vehicles, and program timelines
• Build and maintain a rigorous pipeline and forecast, with clear stages, probabilities, and next actions
• Prepare high-quality investment materials for internal reviews and Investment Committee and present recommendations with clear risk/mitigation framing
• Coordinate cross-functionally with underwriting, finance, and portfolio operations to ensure smooth handoffs and excellent borrower experience
• Represent LCP at conferences and industry forums and develop repeatable origination channels with incubators, primes, and advisors
• Mentor analysts on research, outreach, and model hygiene while raising the bar on speed and accuracy

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business, engineering, or a related field
• 3-6 years in private credit, investment banking, venture lending, specialty finance, or adjacent GovCon finance, prior defense or government-contract exposure strongly preferred
• Proven track record building and converting a deal pipeline in a transactional environment
• Strong financial modeling and credit analysis skills in Excel, comfort with borrower operating models, cash conversion cycles, and covenant design
• Working knowledge of government contracting familiarity with SBIR and STTR, TACFI and STRATFI, FAR and DFARS, contract vehicles, and payment flows is a plus
• Excellent communication skills with credibility across founders, program managers, and industry stakeholders
• Strong attention to detail, follow-through, and ability to manage multiple processes at once
• Experience with CRM and reporting, HubSpot experience is a plus
• Willingness to travel for events and on-site meetings as needed security clearance or eligibility is a plus