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 to first responders, soldiers in battlefield scenarios and beyond.
The Sr Manager, Deployment Operations is a strategic project leader who drives deployment velocity through business program design, cross-functional initiatives, and operational systems innovation. This role partners directly with the VP of Field & Professional Services to design and launch customer-facing deployment services, internal operating systems, and strategic initiatives that enable our field teams to deploy enterprise drone systems faster and more effectively.
You'll operate at the intersection of strategy and executionâtranslating operational challenges into scalable business solutions, designing programs that accelerate customer deployments, and building the internal infrastructure (forecasting models, pipeline management systems, operational processes) that enables our deployment organization to scale. Everything you do will be rooted in delivering value for our customers - defense, public safety, and critical infrastructure organizations that depend on reliable drone operations in high-stakes scenarios.
Location: San Francisco Bay Area Preferred (Hybrid) or Remote
Travel Requirements: Travel expectations vary by location. HQ-based employees should expect 10â15% travel, while remote-based employees should expect approximately 25% travel, to support field operations and attend meetings or initiatives at HQ.
Lead strategic initiatives that increase deployment velocity and improve customer experience
Design customer-facing deployment services and program offerings
Own project lifecycle from concept to stakeholder alignment to launch support. Success is measured by customer outcomes, not task completion
Drive adoption of strategic programs across field teams and cross-functional partners
Build business cases and measure impact of strategic initiatives
Design internal operating systems for deployment forecasting, pipeline management, and performance tracking
Build operational frameworks and management systems that enable scalable field operations
Develop process improvements that reduce deployment cycle time
Create analytical frameworks and reporting infrastructure for operational decision-making
Document operational best practices and standard frameworks
Conduct research and analysis to inform VP's strategic decisions
Develop scenario analyses for capacity planning and resource allocation
Prepare executive materials, business reviews, and strategic presentations
Build decision frameworks and analytical tools that accelerate strategic choices
Support business case development for new service offerings
Coordinate strategic initiatives across Sales, Product, Engineering, Operations, and Customer Success
Facilitate alignment between functions on deployment priorities and programs
Partner with internal teams on service design, customer programs, and operational improvements
Drive accountability through influence and relationship building
Experience
6-8+ years in strategic operations, program management, or business operations
3+ years in hardware deployment, field operations, or enterprise B2B operations
Proven track record designing and launching business programs or service offerings
Experience driving cross-functional initiatives in high-growth environments
Defense, aerospace, hardware, or enterprise technology background preferred
Core Competencies
Exceptional strategic thinking and business judgmentâability to deeply understand problems before jumping to solutions
Strong analytical skills with ability to build financial models and business cases
Proven ability to design operating systems, forecasting models, and management frameworks
Experience influencing without authority in matrixed organizationsâcomfortable with direct, candid communication
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Systems thinker who designs scalable, pragmatic solutions that deliver customer value
Technical Skills
Understanding of field operations, deployment processes, and service delivery
Familiarity with CRM systems, data analysis tools, and project management platforms
Ability to quickly learn technical concepts and translate into business language
Experience with operational forecasting and pipeline management
Working Style
Thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with urgency to make progress daily
Comfortable working independently with minimal oversight while staying close to field reality and operational details
Strategic partner mentalityâanticipates needs and develops proactive solutions
Bias for action with structured approach to execution
Direct and curious in handling conflictâengages openly rather than complaining through back-channels
Comfortable covering gaps and helping mature organizational capabilities when you see opportunities
Commitment to continuous improvement and team-first mindset
Preferred Qualifications
Management consulting or business process optimization experience (strategy/operations consulting, Big 4, boutique firms)
Experience building new capabilities from scratchâlaunched service offerings, business lines, or operational functions in 0â1 environment
The Opportunity
Strategic business building role partnering with VP during hypergrowth scaling
Design programs and operating systems that define field operations for yearsâsolving complex problems that aren't always glamorous but deliver enormous customer value
High visibility through strategic projects and executive partnership
Build new capabilities from ground up in mission-critical defense and public safety markets
Direct impact on enabling autonomous drone deployments that make the world safer
The Challenge
Fast-paced, ambiguous environment where strategy evolves in real-time and problems emerge in every direction
Solve complex operational challenges for customers doing high-stakes work in rugged environments
Influence without authority across Sales, Product, Engineering, and Field Operations
Balance strategic program design with practical execution support
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