Program Manager, Strategic Defense Accounts

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.skydio.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 with experience navigating defense acquisition organizations and operational stakeholders. This individual understands how capabilities transition from evaluation to operational adoption and can identify opportunities to drive account growth through renewals, follow-on funding, and expanded mission applications.

How You’ll Make an Impact

· Serve as the primary post-award lead and trusted advisor for strategic Navy, Marine Corps, SOCOM, and Intelligence Community accounts.

· Drive successful deployment, operational integration, sustainment, and adoption of Skydio solutions while ensuring customers achieve mission outcomes.

· Maintain ownership of contract execution, customer health, program risks, and overall account success.

· Develop strong relationships across operational units, program offices, acquisition organizations, contracting activities, and senior leadership.

· Lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), executive engagements, and mission-focused customer reviews that demonstrate value and identify opportunities for growth.

· Partner with Sales and Business Development to drive renewals, follow-on funding, capability expansion, and account growth.

· Translate customer requirements, mission needs, and acquisition objectives into coordinated action plans across Sales, Product, Engineering, Operations, and Support teams.

· Proactively identify and mitigate program risks while providing clear visibility to customers and Skydio leadership.

· Coordinate internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful execution of customer commitments and program objectives.

· Capture customer feedback and operational insights to help shape product roadmap priorities and future capability development.

What Makes You a Good Fit

· Experience managing customer programs, strategic accounts, acquisitions, or mission-critical technology deployments within the Department of Defense, Special Operations community, or Intelligence Community.

· Strong understanding of defense acquisition processes, budgeting, and contracting mechanisms, including FAR/DFARS, OTAs, IDIQs, BAAs, and other rapid acquisition pathways.

· Experience working with Program Executive Offices (PEOs), Program Managers (PMs), acquisition professionals, operational end users, and senior military leadership.

· Proven ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and build trusted relationships across operators, acquisition organizations, and executive leadership.

· Strong understanding of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process and defense procurement lifecycle.

· Proven track record driving customer adoption, mission outcomes, renewals, and expansion opportunities within government accounts.

· Exceptional communication and briefing skills with experience engaging O-6/GO/FO leadership, SES personnel, and senior acquisition officials.

· Highly collaborative with a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and customer focus.

Preferred Qualifications

· Prior military service, government civilian service, or contractor experience supporting Navy, Marine Corps, Special Operations Forces, or Intelligence Community organizations.

· Experience supporting Naval Special Warfare, MARSOC, SOCOM Components, or Intelligence Community mission stakeholders.

· Background in acquisition program management, capability transition, operational experimentation, rapid prototyping, or defense technology fielding.

· Experience within a Program Management Office (PMO), Program Executive Office (PEO), Systems Command, or acquisition organization.

· DAWIA certification, PMP certification, Defense Acquisition University coursework, or equivalent program management credentials.

· Experience with unmanned systems, autonomy, robotics, ISR, tactical communications, or mission systems technologies.

· Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

Requirements

· Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

· Willingness to travel approximately 40-50%.

· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.

· Ability to obtain FAA Part 107 Certification (Obtaining FAA Part 107 certification within the first 60 days of employment is strongly encouraged for all Skydio employees and required for certain positions.)

Compensation: At Skydio, our compensation packages for regular, full-time employees include competitive base salaries, equity in the form of stock options, and comprehensive benefits packages. Compensation will vary based on factors, including skill level, proficiencies, transferable knowledge, and experience. Relocation assistance may also be provided for eligible roles. The annual base salary range for this position is $125,000 - $150,000*. Fundamentally, we believe that equity is the key to long-term financial growth, and we ensure all regular, full-time employees have the opportunity to significantly benefit from the company's success. Regular, full-time employees are eligible to enroll in the Company’s group health insurance plans. Regular, full-time employees are eligible to receive the following benefits: Paid vacation time, sick leave, holiday pay and 401K savings plan. This position and all associated benefits are subject to applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as the Company’s policies and eligibility criteria.

*Compensation for certain positions may vary based on the position’s location.

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At Skydio we believe that diversity drives innovation. We have created a multidisciplinary environment that embraces the power of diverse perspectives to create elegant solutions for complex problems. We are committed to growing our network of people, programs, and resources to nurture an inclusive culture.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local anti-discrimination laws.

For positions located in the United States of America, Skydio, Inc. uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility.