Mission Lead

NODA AI•Austin, TX

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

NODA AI is seeking a Mission Lead to manage customer-facing technical programs, pre-sales projects, pilot programs, and field deployments that demonstrate and deliver its technology. The role combines technical program management, operational execution, and customer engagement to deliver integrations and solutions that support mission outcomes and business development. The Mission Lead works with customers, government stakeholders, Engineering, Product, Business Development, and Operations to scope engagements, ensure technical readiness, and manage execution from initial requirements through demonstrations, integration, deployment, and operational handoff. The role manages timelines, dependencies, risks, and deliverables, and helps turn successful pilots and demonstrations into sustained capabilities and long-term customer value. This is a hands-on, customer-facing position based in Austin, Texas, with a hybrid on-site arrangement and up to 30% travel. U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a security clearance are required. NODA describes itself as a veteran-owned, venture-backed technology company developing autonomous orchestration solutions for heterogeneous unmanned systems across air, sea, land, and space, with defense, intelligence, and commercial applications.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related technical field, or equivalent military or operational experience.
At least 5 years of experience in technical program management, project management, mission management, deployment management, or related roles in technology, defense, or mission-critical operational environments.
Demonstrated experience leading complex cross-functional technical programs from planning and requirements definition through execution, delivery, and operational handoff.
Strong organizational, program management, and communication skills, including the ability to manage concurrent projects, competing priorities, and evolving requirements.
Experience working with technical teams and translating customer mission requirements into project plans, technical deliverables, and measurable success criteria.
Technical aptitude and experience with complex hardware, software, networking, infrastructure, systems integration, or related technical environments.
Track record of managing scope, schedules, dependencies, resources, and risks while delivering complex technical programs on time and within scope.
Experience engaging customers, technical stakeholders, and cross-functional leaders to communicate status, resolve challenges, and drive decisions.
Previous military, government, defense technology, or defense industry experience, particularly supporting operational missions, technical deployments, or government programs.
Experience with autonomous systems, robotics, unmanned platforms, or related technologies, including hardware and software integration.
Field deployment or operational environment experience, including hands-on support for demonstrations, integrations, or operational readiness.
Ability to work independently, establish structure in ambiguous environments, and maintain momentum in a fast-paced organization.
U.S. citizenship required due to ITAR regulations, with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Background in pre-sales, solutions engineering, technical customer engagement, or customer-facing mission execution.
Experience supporting DoD, intelligence community, or other government stakeholders, including familiarity with operational requirements, acquisition processes, and mission environments.
Experience transitioning prototypes, demonstrations, or pilot programs into operational deployments or sustained customer programs.
Familiarity with field operations, deployment logistics, technical integration, operational readiness, and post-deployment support.
Advanced degree in a relevant technical, business, or management discipline, such as an MS or MBA.

Responsibilities

Lead execution of customer-facing technical programs, demonstrations, pilot programs, and field deployments from scoping through integration, launch readiness, delivery, and operational handoff.
Develop and manage integrated program plans covering milestones, schedules, dependencies, resources, risks, deliverables, and success criteria.
Partner with Business Development, Product, and Engineering to scope pilot programs, technology integrations, and future capabilities around customer mission requirements and strategic objectives.
Serve as the primary programmatic and operational liaison among customers, government stakeholders, and internal teams; maintain communication, alignment, and accountability.
Coordinate across Engineering, Product, Business Development, and Operations to resolve technical and operational challenges and deliver projects to specification and schedule.
Translate customer mission requirements, workflows, technical constraints, and success criteria into actionable plans and execution priorities.
Track technical integration progress, assess deployment readiness, identify and mitigate risks, and drive timely decisions.
Work with Product Management to align customer-driven development, R&D, and pilot efforts with product roadmaps, technical feasibility, and strategic direction.
Gather and synthesize customer feedback, operational insights, and lessons learned, translating them into product improvements, operational priorities, and future capabilities.
Support Business Development in customer engagements with technical and programmatic expertise and identify opportunities to expand pilots into larger deployments or sustained programs.
Coordinate operational handoffs, post-deployment support, and issue escalation to support continuity, customer satisfaction, and reliable mission performance.
Travel to customer sites, field exercises, and operational environments to support demonstrations, integrations, and deployments hands-on.
Establish and improve program execution, customer onboarding, deployment readiness, stakeholder communications, and operational processes.
Manage program information, customer data, and technical details discreetly and in accordance with security and compliance requirements.

Benefits

Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.
Premium medical, dental, and vision coverage with zero paycheck premiums for employees and their families.
401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.
Equity grants for new hires.
Unlimited PTO.
11 paid holidays and an additional company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November and December.
Generous parental leave.
Military leave for annual training or service requirements.
FSA, DCFSA, and HSA.
Professional development opportunities.
Access to One Medical.
Free 24/7 mental health resources, including therapy, plus free legal and financial support services.
Opportunities for career growth, including advancement into senior project management, Product Management, business development, or customer success roles.