Telecom Partnerships Lead, Drone Connectivity

Front Door Defense; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 230,000 - 285,000; Full time

Job summary

Skydio, the leading US drone company, seeks a Technical Partnership Manager to spearhead collaborations with telecom providers, enabling data connectivity for its drones. This onsite role at HQ in San Mateo, CA focuses on forming strategic carrier partnerships and regulatory alignment.

The successful candidate will translate customer needs into actionable partnerships, negotiate favorable terms, and build scalable connectivity models for US and international operations.

Qualifications

• Track record translating customer needs into priorities and driving implementation.
• Ability to break down complex processes into meaningful steps and communicate them clearly.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to share plans across Skydio and partner organizations.
• Engineering or technical degree or equivalent experience indicating technical background.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement our strategy for engaging with telecom carriers that deepens relationships and expands the ecosystem in the US, North America, and internationally over time.
• Understand customers' needs and negotiate agreements with telecom carriers to enable network access and data connectivity.
• Advocate for in-flight data connectivity by providing simple, easy-to-use connectivity options from first boot of a drone.
• Build business models that support in-flight data access and monitor usage and costs to validate them.
• Set regulatory and telecom carrier certification priorities to ensure drones meet certification standards.
• Build field relationships between telecom partners and Skydio's field team to support major events.
• Assist Skydio mission success in supporting customers and major incidents.

Skills

Partnership management

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Technical background

Cross-functional collaboration

Program management

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Skydio, the leading US drone company, seeks a Technical Partnership Manager to spearhead collaborations with telecom providers, enabling data connectivity for its drones. This onsite role at HQ in San Mateo, CA focuses on forming strategic carrier partnerships and regulatory alignment.

The successful candidate will translate customer needs into actionable partnerships, negotiate favorable terms, and build scalable connectivity models for US and international operations.