Sr Manager, Deployment Operations

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 execution—translating 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 10–15% 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 judgment—ability to deeply understand problems before jumping to solutions

• Strong analytical skills with ability to build financial models and…