Mission Lead

MISSION LEAD – NODA AI Location: Austin, TX (Hybrid on-site, with up to 30% travel) Clearance Requirement: U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a security clearance ABOUT NODA NODA is a veteran-owned, venture-backed technology company that is transforming how unmanned systems collaborate in complex, mission-critical environments. We are developing next-generation solutions that enable the autonomous orchestration of heterogeneous unmanned systems across air, sea, land, and space with vital applications in the defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors. Our Mission Leads drive the execution of cutting-edge pilot programs and field demonstrations, translating innovative concepts into tangible solutions that showcase our technical solutions to prospective customers and partners. Joining NODA means working on meaningful technology that pushes the boundaries of autonomy alongside a team that thrives on innovation, rapid iteration, and collaboration. THE ROLE We are seeking a Mission Lead to manage pre-sales projects, pilot programs, and field deliveries that showcase our technology. This role combines project management expertise with technical acumen to deliver novel integrations and technical solutions that directly support business development efforts. You'll work at the intersection of sales, engineering, and product teams to ensure successful execution of customer-facing demonstrations and pilot programs that can evolve into core product features. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Manage day-to-day execution of projects, demonstrations, and customer integrations from initiation through delivery - Assist in the scoping of pilot programs for novel technologies and future product features in collaboration with sales, product, and engineering teams - Coordinate across cross-functional teams including sales, engineers, and designers to ensure projects are delivered to specification and on schedule - Serve as primary liaison between customer-facing teams and internal development efforts during pilot and demonstration phases - Collaborate with Product Management to align R&D and pilot efforts with product roadmaps and strategic direction - Gather and synthesize customer feedback from demonstrations and pilots, working with Product to incorporate insights into future roadmaps - Support business development activities by providing technical expertise and project management for customer engagements - Manage project timelines and deliverables while maintaining clear communication with all stakeholders REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field - 3+ years of project management experience, preferably in technology or defense sectors - Strong organizational and communication skills with ability to manage multiple concurrent projects - Experience working with technical teams and translating customer requirements into actionable project plans - Proven track record of delivering complex projects on time and within scope - U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain security clearance PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Previous military, government, or defense industry experience - Experience with autonomous systems, robotics, or related technologies - Background in pre-sales, solutions engineering, or customer-facing technical roles - Advanced degree in relevant field (e.g., MBA, MS, etc.) - Existing security clearance - Experience working with DoD or intelligence community stakeholders SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES - Strong project management and organizational capabilities - Technical aptitude to understand complex autonomous systems and integration requirements - Customer-focused mindset with ability to translate technical capabilities into customer value - Excellent communication skills for interfacing with both technical teams and external stakeholders - Adaptability to manage diverse projects ranging from field demonstrations to novel technology development - Problem-solving skills to navigate challenges in dynam