Mission Lead, Autonomous Systems Programs

NODA AI, Inc.; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan with company 
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Equity grants

Job summary

NODA AI, Inc. is seeking a Mission Lead in Austin, TX to manage customer-facing technical programs, pilot deployments, and field demonstrations.

You will coordinate with Engineering, Product, Business Development, and Operations to scope requirements, ensure technical readiness, and deliver successful missions that translate into sustained capabilities. The role requires strong program management, cross-functional leadership, and experience with mission-critical environments, with travel to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field, or equivalent military/operational experience.
• 5+ years of experience in technical programme management or related roles within technology, defense, or mission-critical environments.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional technical programmes from planning through execution and handoff.
• Strong organisational, programme management, and communication skills across multiple projects.
• Experience translating customer requirements into actionable plans and deliverables.
• Experience with autonomous systems, robotics, or related technologies, including hardware/software integration.
• Field deployment or operational environment experience with demonstrations, integrations, or deployments.
• U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain a DoD security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day execution of customer-facing technical programmes, demonstrations, pilot programmes, and field deployments from scoping through integration and handoff.
• Develop and manage integrated programme plans with milestones, schedules, dependencies, and risks.
• Scope pilot programmes and future capabilities in collaboration with Business Development, Product, and Engineering.
• Serve as liaison between customers, government stakeholders, and internal teams to ensure alignment and accountability.
• Translate customer requirements into actionable project plans and priorities.
• Track progress, assess readiness, identify risks, and drive timely decisions for demonstrations and deployments.
• Collaborate with Product Management to align pilots with roadmaps and feasibility.
• Gather feedback from deployments to drive product improvements and operational priorities.
• Support Business Development with technical and programmatic expertise during customer engagements.
• Coordinate handoffs, post-deployment support, and escalation processes for continuity.
• Travel to customer sites and field exercises to support demonstrations and deployments.
• Improve programme execution practices and onboarding to enable scalable, repeatable mission delivery.
• Manage programme information with discretion per security/compliance requirements.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional collaboration

Customer engagement

Risk management

Communication

Autonomous systems

Field deployments

Government/DoD familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent military experience

Job description

NODA AI, Inc. is seeking a Mission Lead in Austin, TX to manage customer-facing technical programs, pilot deployments, and field demonstrations.

You will coordinate with Engineering, Product, Business Development, and Operations to scope requirements, ensure technical readiness, and deliver successful missions that translate into sustained capabilities. The role requires strong program management, cross-functional leadership, and experience with mission-critical environments, with travel to