Mission Manager - War Data Platform

Defense Unicorns

7h•Remote

About The Position

As the Mission Director for a DoW platform modernization program, you will lead a Defense Unicorns delivery team supporting our Mission Hero through a DoW prime contractor partner. You will serve as the primary point of contact with the prime's program management, own delivery execution and financial performance on a multi-year contract, and partner with Defense Unicorns Tech Leads across the company to ensure the team delivers mission value across platform engineering, DevSecOps, cloud, and SRE disciplines. First-Year Outcomes Success in the first year will be measured by three primary outcomes: A smooth transition from the incumbent contractor with minimal disruption to ongoing delivery A successful architecture review with our Mission Hero, introducing UDS as a new technology in the program's core tech stack A foundational operational environment established to support ongoing mission delivery

Requirements

Active Secret clearance
Experience leading large (20+) cross-functional engineering or delivery teams
Experience delivering software or platform programs in a DoW or federal environment
Experience managing prime-sub or multi-party contractor relationships
Financial accountability experience on federal contracts, including burn rate and staffing plan ownership
U.S. Citizenship

Nice To Haves

Experience transitioning programs from an incumbent contractor
Familiarity with DoW impact levels (IL2 and above) and authorization processes
Background in DevSecOps, platform engineering, or cloud infrastructure delivery
Familiarity with federal contracts, procurement vehicles, and the budget process
Experience with modern software development practices including DevSecOps, Continuous Delivery, and Agile frameworks
Technical depth sufficient to understand architectural decisions and translate them for stakeholders, users, and the team

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact with the prime contractor's program management
Partner with the prime to align Defense Unicorns' scope, deliverables, and team performance with program priorities
Build a productive working relationship with our Mission Hero in coordination with the prime
Own delivery execution across the team, ensuring commitments are met on time and to quality
Partner with Defense Unicorns Tech Leads to align program work with broader technical direction
Translate Mission Hero and prime requirements into actionable work, and team progress into clear stakeholder communication
Surface delivery feedback to Defense Unicorns' Product segment to inform UDS and other product roadmaps
Lead a cross-functional team spanning platform engineering, DevSecOps, cloud, SRE, configuration management, and Zero Trust
Foster an environment for Unicorn growth, mentorship, and coaching
Champion Defense Unicorns' values and principles
Balance priorities from the Mission Hero, prime, leadership, and team to deliver mission value
Own burn rate management and monthly forecasting against the contract ceiling
Lead staffing plans, backfills, and ramp planning across option years in coordination with the contracts team
Partner with the contracts team on modifications, option year exercises, and contract compliance