Senior Operations Specialist - DFR

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. The Skydio team combines deep expertise in artificial intelligence, best-in-class hardware and software product development, operational excellence, and customer obsession to empower a broader, more diverse audience of drone users, from utility inspectors to first responders, soldiers in battlefield scenarios, and beyond.

About the Role:

The Senior Operations Specialist - DFR is responsible for preparing customers for successful Drone as First Responder (DFR) launches. This role owns the customer journey from pre-sales technical and operational readiness through dock deployment, training, and go-live.

Serving as the connective tissue between Sales, Solutions Engineering, Deployment Engineering, Customer Success, and Product teams, the Senior Operations Specialist - DFR ensures customers are operationally, technically, and administratively ready to launch dock-based DFR operations. Success in this role is measured by smooth launches, on-time deployments, and confident, satisfied customers.

This role is a core member of the DFR Launch Team and reports to the DFR Program Manager.

How You’ll Make an Impact:

Customer & Site Readiness (Pre- and Post-Contract Award)

• Partners with Sales and Solutions Engineering pre-contract to advise customers on DFR site feasibility, dock placement considerations, and launch requirements.

• Consults with customers on site readiness requirements including power, networking, mounting locations, airspace considerations, and environmental factors.

• Guides customers through regulatory and administrative readiness, including waiver requirements and operational approvals.

• Acts as the primary point of coordination from contract close through launch readiness.
  

Launch Planning & Coordination

• Owns the customer readiness timeline from contract execution through dock shipment, deployment, training, and launch.

• Ensures all prerequisites for deployment are completed prior to dock shipment, including site readiness verification and customer preparedness.

• Coordinates internally with Deployment Engineering to schedule dock installations and ensure on-site readiness.

• Ensures customer training is assigned, scheduled, and completed in alignment with deployment and launch plans.

• Confirms successful dock delivery, installation, and readiness for operational flight.
  

Cross-Functional Execution

• Works closely with Customer Success to ensure a smooth handoff post-launch, with clear documentation of customer configuration and readiness status.

• Coordinates with Product, Engineering, and Operations teams to resolve readiness blockers and escalate risks as needed.

• Maintains alignment across Sales, Solutions Engineering, Deployment Engineering, and Customer Success throughout the launch process.
  

Documentation & Readiness Tracking

• Develops and maintains customer-specific DFR readiness plans and launch checklists.

• Tracks site readiness, deployment milestones, training completion, and launch criteria.

• Documents launch configurations, readiness outcomes, and key customer considerations to support scalability and post-launch success.

• Identifies patterns, risks, and best practices to continuously improve the DFR launch process.

What Makes You a Good Fit:

• Experience working directly with public safety customers in a consultative, project-based, or operational role.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional initiatives with multiple stakeholders.

• Strong relationship-building skills; experience engaging with executive leadership (e.g., Chiefs, City leadership) is preferred.

• Highly organized with strong attention to detail; comfortable managing timelines, dependencies, and readiness checklists.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly summarize risks, status, and next steps.

• Willingness to travel up to 80%.

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 $130,500 - $155,000*. 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. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/