Mission Lead - CENTCOM AOR (GCC Based)

NODA AI; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 661,000 - 881,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) with company match

Equity grants

Unlimited PTO

11 paid holidays

Military Leave

FSA

DCFSA

HSA

Professional Development

Job summary

NODA AI seeks a Mission Lead – Customer Solutions to own in-theater program delivery across the CENTCOM AOR, coordinating deployments and stakeholders, and ensuring successful mission outcomes. You will manage schedules, visas, and access while interfacing with U.S. military and embassy partners.

Applicants must have a technical background, active Secret clearance, U.S. citizenship, and willingness to deploy 30–90 days OCONUS. Bahrain/Kuwait/Qatar/UAE experience is valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, or related field.
• 5+ years of program or technical delivery leadership in defense or mission-critical environments.
• Direct OCONUS deployment or in-theater leadership experience.
• Experience working with U.S. Military or government stakeholders.
• Technical fluency in complex systems (autonomy, robotics, or distributed systems).
• Active Secret clearance and U.S. citizenship.
• Valid U.S. passport (12+ months validity, multiple blank pages) and willingness to deploy OCONUS for extended rotations (30–90 days).
• Ability to operate independently in austere environments with limited supervision and connectivity.

Responsibilities

• Lead deployments across NAVCENT, AFCENT, ARCENT, MARCENT, and SOCCENT environments.
• Coordinate execution across GCC installations and forward locations, including NSA Bahrain, Camp Arifjan, Al Udeid AB, Al Dhafra AB, and Jebel Ali Port.
• Interface with Security Cooperation Offices (SCOs), U.S. Embassies, and host-nation stakeholders.
• Manage logistics: visas, customs, export controls, and installation access.
• Own delivery timelines, customer success, and operational outcomes.
• Bridge field operations with U.S.-based engineering and product teams.
• Scope new engagements and translate AOR-specific constraints into realistic technical and schedule commitments.
• Capture operational feedback and drive product improvements.

Skills

Program leadership

OCONUS deployment

US government stakeholders

Autonomy/robotics

Secret clearance

US citizenship

Passport valid 12+ months

Independent in austere environments

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, CS, Business or related field

Job description

Mission Lead – CENTCOM AOR (GCC Based)

Location: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE (CENTCOM AOR)
Travel: Mission-dependent, 60–75% OCONUS
Clearance Requirement: Active Secret required

About NODA

NODA is a veteran-owned, venture-backed technology company transforming how unmanned systems collaborate in complex, mission-critical environments. Our distributed orchestration platform enables autonomous coordination of heterogeneous unmanned systems across air, sea, land, and space with vital applications in defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors.

Our Mission Leads are NODA’s face in theater — the single point of accountability for U.S. Military customers operating across the CENTCOM AOR. They own program delivery from mobilization through operational handover, working alongside component commands and forward-deployed units to put autonomous orchestration capability in the hands of the warfighter under real-world conditions.

The Role

As Mission Lead – Customer Solutions, you are the in-theater owner of program delivery, customer success, and operational outcomes across the CENTCOM AOR. You lead deployments, coordinate stakeholders, and ensure mission execution across Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE — operating with limited reach-back across an 8–10 hour time difference from headquarters.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead deployments across NAVCENT, AFCENT, ARCENT, MARCENT, and SOCCENT environments
• Coordinate execution across GCC installations and forward locations, including NSA Bahrain, Camp Arifjan, Al Udeid AB, Al Dhafra AB, and Jebel Ali Port
• Interface with Security Cooperation Offices (SCOs), U.S. Embassies, and host-nation stakeholders
• Manage logistics: visas, customs, export controls, and installation access
• Own delivery timelines, customer success, and operational outcomes
• Bridge field operations with U.S.-based engineering and product teams
• Scope new engagements and translate AOR-specific constraints into realistic technical and schedule commitments
• Capture operational feedback and drive product improvements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, or related field
• 5+ years of program or technical delivery leadership in defense or mission-critical environments
• Direct OCONUS deployment or in-theater leadership experience
• Experience working with U.S. Military or government stakeholders
• Technical fluency in complex systems (autonomy, robotics, or distributed systems)
• Active Secret clearance and U.S. citizenship
• Valid U.S. passport (12+ months validity, multiple blank pages) and willingness to deploy OCONUS for extended rotations (30–90 days)
• Ability to operate independently in austere environments with limited supervision and connectivity

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior military service or defense industry experience working with forward-deployed U.S. forces
• Direct experience in the CENTCOM AOR (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE) or adjacent theaters
• Familiarity with CENTCOM component commands (NAVCENT/5th Fleet, AFCENT/9th AF, ARCENT, MARCENT, SOCCENT) and their operating rhythms
• Familiarity with SOFAs, the U.S.–UAE DCA, and installation‑specific access requirements
• Experience navigating ITAR/EAR, Foreign Disclosure, and export control practices
• Familiarity with DoD installation access procedures, CAC sponsorship, LOAs, and country clearance (APACS)
• Advanced degree (MBA, MS, or equivalent)
• Existing TS/SCI clearance
• Regional language exposure (Arabic) a plus

Skills & Attributes

• Mission-first ownership: takes full accountability for in-theater outcomes from day one of deployment through operational handover, with no need for reach-back to stay on track.
• Operational adaptability: maintains composure and sound judgment in austere, high-tempo, and rapidly changing environments far from headquarters.
• Stakeholder fluency: communicates effectively with flag- and field-grade military officers, U.S. Embassy personnel, host-nation contacts, and internal engineering teams — shifting register as the audience demands.
• Technical credibility: understands autonomous systems and integration requirements deeply enough to bridge operators and engineers without losing either audience.
• Cultural awareness: represents NODA with the professionalism and situational sensitivity required for U.S. personnel operating in the Gulf region.
• Program discipline: manages timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder expectations across multiple concurrent engagements and time zones without losing operational clarity.

Benefits & Perks

Our culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

• We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long‑term retirement goals + Company match
• Equity grants for new hires
• Unlimited PTO
• 11 Paid holidays
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November, & December.
• Generous Parental Leave
• Military Leave for annual training or service requirements
• FSA
• DCFSA
• HSA
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Access to One Medical
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.

Growth Path at NODA

Mission Lead → Regional Lead → International Program Director / Product / Business Development Leadership

Export Control Compliance

To conform to U.S. government export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.

Equal Opportunity Statement

NODA AI is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace and to maintaining equitable employment and hiring practices. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

As a federal contractor, NODA AI complies with all applicable equal employment opportunity and affirmative action requirements, including Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), as amended. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities throughout the recruiting, hiring, and employment process.

Consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with applicable fair chance and ban‑the-box laws, including the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance where applicable. We actively encourage qualified individuals of all backgrounds, including women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities, to apply.

NODA AI is committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and accessible work environment for all applicants and employees. If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [e-mail] or contact your recruiter so we can provide the support you need.