Senior Manager, Solutions Engineering - National Security (Defense)
Skydio · Remote · US Remote ·
COMPENSATION
€•• – ••k
Listed on the employer's job board (Ashby)
- Senior Management Role
- Fully Remote (US)
- 50% Travel Required
- Defense Sector Focus
- Security Clearance Needed
Lead the technical arm of Skydio's defense go-to-market strategy, bridging the gap between customer mission needs and product capabilities. You will manage a team supporting the Department of War, Special Operations Command, and the Intelligence Community.
The role focuses on upstream requirements, system integration, and field enablement in contested environments. You will drive technical wins by proving capability in real-world scenarios and ensuring products are accredited and flown at scale.
What you'll do
- Hire, coach, and retain Solutions Engineers with clear agency coverage
- Set technical standards for demos, trials, and RFP responses
- Manage team capacity and deployment tempo to prevent burnout
- Define technical strategy for evaluations and proof of concepts
- Serve as senior escalation point for critical customer issues
- Shape upstream requirements with program offices and operators
- Guide integration with tactical systems like TAK and MANET radios
- Translate field observations into prioritized product requirements
What you'll need
- 5+ years in customer-facing technical roles for defense clients
- 5+ years in federal government or defense UAS disciplines
- 1+ year leading a technical team or mentoring staff
- Understanding of defense acquisition from requirements to fielding
- Technical depth in UAS, RF, sensors, or government IT security
- Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance required
- Ability to travel up to 50%, including international trips
- Ability to lift up to 60 lbs unaided
Nice to have
- Experience supporting SOCOM or specific military branches
- Prior military UAS operator or instructor certification
- Experience with shipboard or maritime UAS employment
- Familiarity with contested environments like GPS-denied areas
- Hands-on experience with secure comms and MANET radios
- Knowledge of RMF packages, ATOs, or SBIR transitions
- Familiarity with foreign disclosure and ITAR processes
- Working knowledge of Salesforce, Palantir, or Databricks
Stack
- TAK
- MANET
- Salesforce
- Palantir
- Databricks
How you'll work
- Fully remote position based in the United States
- Approximately 50% travel for field activities and events
- Regular international travel required
- FAA Part 107 certification required within 60 days
What you get
- Base salary range $172,000 - $215,000 plus commission
- Equity in the form of stock options
- Group health insurance plans
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay
- 401K savings plan
- Relocation assistance for eligible roles