Senior Manager, Solutions Engineering – National Security

Skydio

. Lead the National Security Solutions Engineering team supporting the Department of War, United States Special Operations Command, and the Intelligence Community .

Posted 9/18/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesSenior💰 $172,000 - $215,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in UAS solutions engineering, including technical strategy, team leadership, and customer engagement within defense environments. Proficient in managing technical quality standards, integration processes, and compliance with government contracting and security requirements.

Highest-signal resume keywords

UAS PlatformsDefense Acquisition ProcessTechnical Team LeadershipFAA Part 107 CertificationCustomer-Facing Technical Role

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

UAS Solutions EngineeringSoftware IntegrationRF and Datalink SystemsEO/IR Sensor PayloadsCloud and Data ArchitectureGovernment IT SecurityTechnical Strategy DevelopmentField Trial DesignIntegration with TAKMission Planning

Soft Skills

Excellent Written CommunicationExcellent Verbal CommunicationCoaching and Mentorship

Tools & Technologies

SalesforcePalantirDatabricksMANET RadiosSecure Communications

Certifications & Qualifications

Active Secret or Top Secret Security ClearanceFAA Part 107 Certification

Industry Keywords

Department of WarUnited States Special Operations CommandIntelligence CommunityNDAA ComplianceBlue UAS StatusGovernment Contracting VehiclesCross-Domain ConsiderationsContested EnvironmentsTTP DevelopmentForeign Disclosure

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cloud

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the National Security Solutions Engineering team supporting the Department of War, United States Special Operations Command, and the Intelligence Community
Drive upstream requirements development, evaluations and field trials, system integration, and unit-level enablement across Skydio’s end-to-end UAS solutions
Hire, onboard, coach, and retain team members
Set technical quality standards for demos, trial plans, integration designs, RFI and RFP responses, and customer-facing documentation
Own team capacity, resource allocation, and deployment tempo
Own technical strategy for pursuits, including evaluation and down-select strategy, proof of concept and field trial design, and technical differentiation
Serve as senior technical escalation point for critical pursuits, deployments, and customer issues
Partner with Sales leadership on pipeline, forecast, account planning, and land-and-expand strategy
Shape defense requirements with program offices, capability development staffs, and operators
Build team capability for exercises and operational assessments
Maintain team fluency in accreditation, cloud impact levels, NIPR/SIPR employment, cross-domain considerations, NDAA compliance, Blue UAS status, and government contracting vehicles
Guide integration with TAK, MANET and secure tactical radios, tactical C2 and fires applications, and service mission-planning environments
Own airworthiness and airspace activities, including flight clearances, shipboard considerations, BVLOS approvals, waivers, COAs, and range and installation approvals
Design honest test plans for contested and degraded conditions
Represent the customer to Product and Engineering by turning field observations into prioritized requirements
Build enablement content, reference architectures, and reusable technical assets
Maintain first-hand product knowledge through frequent hands-on use

Requirements

What you’ll need

5+ years of relevant technical experience, including time in a customer-facing technical role supporting defense customers
5+ years of federal government or defense experience in a discipline relevant to UAS — operations, maintenance, ISR, test and evaluation, acquisition, or training
1+ years leading a technical team, formally or as a technical lead with hiring and mentorship responsibility
Demonstrated understanding of a defense acquisition process for technology, from requirements development through evaluation, award, and fielding
Technical depth in at least one core area: UAS platforms, RF and datalink systems, EO/IR and other sensor payloads, software integration and APIs, cloud and data architecture, or government IT security
Comfort operating inside a Sales organization, including owning a quota and deal strategy
Excellent written and verbal communication
Ability to travel up to 50% of the time, including regular international travel
Ability to lift up to 60 lbs unaided
Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance, or the ability to obtain one
FAA Part 107 certification is required for certain positions and obtaining it within the first 60 days is strongly encouraged for all Skydio employees
Nice-to-have experience supporting SOCOM or its components, special operations commands, or military units
Nice-to-have prior military UAS operator, maintainer, or instructor certification
Nice-to-have shipboard, small boat, or maritime UAS employment experience
Nice-to-have experience in contested or degraded environments, mission planning, CONOPS, and TTP development for small UAS
Nice-to-have hands-on experience with MANET radios and secure communications
Nice-to-have experience with RMF packages, ATOs, OTAs, prototype agreements, or SBIR Phase III transitions
Nice-to-have familiarity with foreign disclosure, ITAR, and FMS processes
Nice-to-have working knowledge of Salesforce, Palantir, Databricks, or equivalents

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equity in the form of stock options
Comprehensive benefits packages
Relocation assistance may be provided for eligible roles
Group health insurance plans
Paid vacation time
Sick leave
Holiday pay
401K savings plan
Commission