To support our growth strategy in the defense sector, we are seeking a Mission Deployment Lead to strengthen our partnerships within INDOPACOM and the broader Department of War ecosystem. This role is critical to driving business growth in the dynamic and rapidly evolving market of autonomous robotic systems. The Mission Deployment Lead will serve as the primary interface between the company and INDOPACOM stakeholders, ensuring mission success, customer satisfaction, and alignment of company capabilities with INDOPACOM and Service Component operational needs.
In this position, you will play a pivotal role in expanding our footprint across INDOPACOM and Service Component programs by identifying opportunities, shaping requirements, managing key relationships, and supporting the delivery of cutting-edge autonomous systems. You will work closely with technical, business development, and program teams to ensure that customer objectives are met — on time, within scope, and to the highest standard.
Responsibilities and Duties
- Serve as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor for INDOPACOM customers and related DoW stakeholders.
- Develop and execute account strategies that align with INDOPACOM / Service Component modernization priorities and our corporate growth objectives.
- Identify and cultivate new business opportunities within existing and emerging INDOPACOM / Service Component programs of record.
- Partner with internal teams to align customer requirements with technical capabilities, ensuring effective translation of mission needs into actionable solutions.
- Support the preparation of proposals, responses to RFIs/RFPs, and capture activities to position the company competitively in the defense marketplace.
- Monitor ongoing program performance, ensuring customer satisfaction, contract compliance, and proactive resolution of issues.
- Collaborate with engineering, integration, manufacturing, and operations teams to coordinate demonstrations, field trials, and system deliveries.
- Maintain awareness of INDOPACOM / Service Component organizational structure, acquisition processes, and strategic initiatives to anticipate future needs.
- Represent the company at industry events, military exercises, and customer meetings to strengthen relationships and promote brand visibility.
- Provide strategic feedback to inform product development, technology roadmaps, and long-term business strategy.
Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field; MBA or advanced technical degree preferred.
- 8+ years of experience in defense, aerospace, or advanced technology sectors, with direct experience managing U.S. military accounts — ideally in INDOPACOM.
- Proven success in account management, business development, or program support roles involving complex HW/SW systems.
- Strong understanding of U.S. defense acquisition processes, contracting, and requirements development.
- Excellent communication, relationship management, and negotiation skills.
- Ability to work cross-functionally with technical and program teams to meet customer goals.
- Experience in RFI/RFP responses, proposal development, and capture management.
- Customer-focused mindset with a proactive, mission-oriented approach.
- Willingness to travel frequently within the U.S., Pacific Region, and to customer sites as required.
- Active security clearance or eligibility to obtain is required.
Benefits
- Flexible working hours
- Stock Options
- Unlimited PTO
- Health Insurance (includes dental & vision)
- Medical flex spending
- Life Insurance
- Retirement Plan - 401k with company match
- Enhanced maternity & paternity leave
About Auterion
We are building the leading software platform for AI-powered autonomous systems for enterprise and government customers. Our team is supporting the most important missions and solving the most challenging problems.
At Auterion, we bring together the sharpest minds who love to solve the hardest problems. Join a vibrant team built on innovation, openness, and excellence, where you’ll be empowered to develop ideas, collaborate across all levels, and make an impact that matters.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Engineering, or related field; MBA or advanced technical degree preferred
- 8+ years of experience in defense, aerospace, or advanced technology sectors, with direct U.S. military account management experience
- Proven success in account management, business development, or program support roles involving complex HW/SW systems
- Strong understanding of U.S. defense acquisition processes and contracting
- Excellent communication, relationship management, and negotiation skills
- Experience in RFI/RFP responses and proposal development
- Active security clearance or eligibility to obtain
What We Do
At Auterion we care about providing enterprise with an ecosystem of software-defined drones, payloads, and third party applications within a single easy to use platform based on open-source standards. We’re leaders in an open-source movement bigger than ourselves and we’ve been on the same mission for over a decade, since our co-founder Lorenz Meier created Pixhawk, MAVLink, QGC, and PX4 (the world’s most widely used open-source drone autopilot operating system). Our mission is to be the drone platform of choice for enterprise, government, and drone manufacturers while accelerating the drone industry by driving forward open standards to create a common, future-proof roadmap in a thriving, open ecosystem of buyers and vendors. At Auterion, we bring together the sharpest minds who love to solve the hardest problems. Join a vibrant team built on innovation, openness, and excellence, where you’ll be empowered to develop ideas, collaborate across all levels, and make an impact that matters.
