Skydio

Operations

ProgramManager,StrategicDefenseAccounts

$165–235k ~AI est. United States FULL TIME Remote Friendly
Market Sentiment
HIGH DEMAND

Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Manager candidates.

The Brief

“Program Manager, Strategic Defense Accounts at Skydio. Skills: Program Management, Defense Acquisition, Strategic Accounts, Customer Relationships. Serve as primary post-award lead. Serve as trusted advisor for strategic accounts”

What You'll Achieve.

Ensure successful deployment; Ensure operational integration; Ensure sustainment; Ensure adoption; Achieve mission outcomes; Drive renewals; Drive follow-on funding; Drive capability expansion; Drive account growth

Industry & Context.

Operations
Problems you'll solve

Risk mitigation

Eligibility Requirements

Willingness to travel 40-50%, Ability to obtain U.S. Security Clearance

What They're Looking For.

Must Have

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience, Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance, Experience managing customer programs within the Department of Defense, Experience managing strategic accounts within the Department of Defense, Experience managing acquisitions within the Department of Defense, Experience managing mission-critical technology deployments within the Department of Defense, Experience working with Program Executive Offices, Experience working with Program Managers, Experience working with acquisition professionals, Experience working with operational end users, Experience working with senior military leadership, Proven ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments, Proven ability to build trusted relationships across operators, Proven ability to build trusted relationships across acquisition organizations, Proven ability to build trusted relationships across executive leadership, Proven track record driving customer adoption within government accounts, Proven track record driving mission outcomes within government accounts, Proven track record driving renewals within government accounts, Proven track record driving expansion opportunities within government accounts, Exceptional communication and briefing skills, Experience engaging O-6/GO/FO leadership, Experience engaging SES personnel, Experience engaging senior acquisition officials, Ability to obtain FAA Part 107 Certification

Nice to Have

Prior military service supporting Navy, Prior military service supporting Marine Corps, Prior military service supporting Special Operations Forces, Prior military service supporting Intelligence Community, Government civilian service supporting Navy, Government civilian service supporting Marine Corps, Government civilian service supporting Special Operations Forces, Government civilian service supporting Intelligence Community, Contractor experience supporting Navy, Contractor experience supporting Marine Corps, Contractor experience supporting Special Operations Forces, Contractor experience supporting Intelligence Community, Experience supporting Naval Special Warfare, Experience supporting MARSOC, Experience supporting SOCOM Components, Experience supporting Intelligence Community mission stakeholders, Acquisition program management experience, Capability transition experience, Operational experimentation experience, Rapid prototyping experience, Defense technology fielding experience, Experience within a Program Management Office, Experience within a Program Executive Office, Experience within a Systems Command, Experience within an acquisition organization, DAWIA certification, PMP certification, Defense Acquisition University coursework, Equivalent program management credentials, Experience with unmanned systems, Experience with autonomy, Experience with robotics, Experience with ISR, Experience with tactical communications, Experience with mission systems technologies, Active Secret security clearance, Active Top Secret security clearance

What You'll Do.

Serve as primary post-award lead

Serve as trusted advisor for strategic accounts

Drive successful deployment of Skydio solutions

Drive operational integration of Skydio solutions

Drive sustainment of Skydio solutions

Drive adoption of Skydio solutions

Ensure customers achieve mission outcomes

Maintain ownership of contract execution

Maintain ownership of customer health

Maintain ownership of program risks

Maintain ownership of account success

Develop relationships across operational units

Develop relationships across program offices

Develop relationships across acquisition organizations

Develop relationships across contracting activities

Develop relationships across senior leadership

Lead Quarterly Business Reviews

Lead executive engagements

Lead mission-focused customer reviews

Identify opportunities for growth

Partner with Sales to drive renewals

Partner with Sales to drive follow-on funding

Partner with Sales to drive capability expansion

Partner with Sales to drive account growth

Partner with Business Development to drive renewals

Partner with Business Development to drive follow-on funding

Partner with Business Development to drive capability expansion

Partner with Business Development to drive account growth

Translate customer requirements into action plans

Translate mission needs into action plans

Translate acquisition objectives into action plans

Coordinate action plans across Sales

Coordinate action plans across Product

Coordinate action plans across Engineering

Coordinate action plans across Operations

Coordinate action plans across Support teams

Proactively identify program risks

Mitigate program risks

Provide clear visibility to customers

Provide clear visibility to Skydio leadership

Coordinate internal stakeholders

Coordinate external stakeholders

Ensure successful execution of customer commitments

Ensure successful execution of program objectives

Capture customer feedback

Capture operational insights

Shape product roadmap priorities

Shape future capability development

How You'll Work.

Team & Collaboration

Partner with Sales; Partner with Business Development; Partner with Product; Partner with Engineering; Partner with Customer Success; Partner with Operations; Coordinate internal stakeholders; Coordinate external stakeholders

Communication Scope

Exceptional communication; Briefing skills; Executive presentations; Customer presentations; Stakeholder communication

Process & Methodology

Program management expertise, Program management discipline, Acquisition program management

Full Job Description

Skydio is the leading US drone company and the world leader in autonomous flight, the key technology for the future of drones and aerial mobility. The Skydio team combines deep expertise in artificial intelligence, best-in-class hardware and software product development, operational excellence, and customer obsession to empower a broader, more diverse audience of drone users, from utility inspectors https://www.skydio.com/solutions/energy-and-utilities to first responders https://www.skydio.com/solutions/public-safety, soldiers in battlefield scenarios https://www.skydio.com/solutions/national-security/tactical-isr, and beyond https://www.skydio.com/solutions. About the Team The Mission Success Programs team serves as the connective tissue between Skydio’s customers and internal teams, ensuring successful deployment, adoption, and expansion of autonomous capabilities across strategic accounts. We partner closely with Sales, Product, Engineering, Customer Success, and Operations to deliver exceptional customer outcomes while driving long-term account growth. Our team combines deep program management expertise with a relentless focus on mission success, customer value, and operational execution. About the Role We are looking for a highly motivated, customer-focused Program Manager to lead strategic Department of Defense accounts across the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and Intelligence Community (IC). This role serves as the primary post-award lead for assigned accounts and is responsible for ensuring successful deployment, operational integration, sustainment, adoption, and long-term mission success of Skydio solutions. You will develop trusted relationships with operators, acquisition professionals, program offices, and senior military leaders while partnering internally to ensure customers realize maximum value from their investment in Skydio technology. The ideal candidate combines strong program management discipline wit

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