Senior Deployment Strategist

Job description

Who we are Picogrid is a leading venture-backed defense technology company founded to bridge the decades-long gap between modern technology and the critical demands of national security. Today, we're building the essential infrastructure to unify sensors, autonomy, and operators with our technology deployed in active operations around the world. Our mission is to deliver an operational advantage to secure the United States and its allies. ABOUT THE ROLE As a Senior Deployment Strategist at Picogrid, you will be responsible for deploying and operationalizing Picogrid’s platform in complex, real-world environments. You will work directly with customers—often in mission-critical settings—to ensure our technology delivers real operational value. This includes configuring systems, integrating diverse technologies, and adapting quickly as requirements evolve. These deployments often involve multiple systems, stakeholders, and constraints, and success depends on your ability to understand the full system, make sound decisions in ambiguous environments, and drive execution end-to-end. You will also play a critical role internally—translating field needs into product improvements, informing engineering priorities, and shaping how Picogrid evolves its platform and deployments. This is a role for someone who wants to own outcomes in the field, operate across technical domains, and work at the intersection of product, customer, and mission. WHAT YOU’LL DO - Own end-to-end execution of deployments, programs, and customer engagements, ensuring Picogrid delivers meaningful operational outcomes - Drive project planning, prioritization, and execution across multiple workstreams, stakeholders, and timelines - Lead coordination across customers, partners, Government Solutions, and Engineering teams to ensure alignment and progress - Engage directly with senior military leadership and partner company executives, representing Picogrid in high-stakes operational, technical, and strategic discussions - Design and execute exercises, demonstrations, and test environments that validate capabilities and inform product development - Translate customer needs into clear execution plans and technical requirements, and ensure follow-through to delivery - Identify risks, dependencies, and blockers across efforts and drive them to resolution - Support execution of contracts, pilots, and operational programs, ensuring commitments are met and expectations are exceeded - Operate as a trusted partner to customers, maintaining strong relationships and ensuring Picogrid delivers consistent value - Provide leadership within Picogrid by driving clarity, setting priorities, and ensuring teams stay aligned on high-impact work - Capture insights from deployments and customer interactions to influence product direction, partnerships, and strategy WHO YOU ARE - You have experience operating in real-world deployment environments or similarly ambiguous, high-stakes settings - You are comfortable taking ownership of outcomes—not just contributing to execution - You can quickly understand and apply high-level technical concepts across a wide range of systems and technologies - You think in terms of systems and outcomes, not just tasks - You are highly effective in fast-moving environments and can create clarity where none exists - You are collaborative and low-ego, and you build trust with customers, partners, and teammates - You have strong judgment and can prioritize effectively under pressure BASIC QUALIFICATIONS - 7+ years of experience in deployments, operations, defense partnerships, program execution, or similar roles - Demonstrated experience owning execution in cross-functional or customer-facing environments - Strong communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences - Demonstrated ability to operate in ambiguous or high-pressure environments - Technical fluency—you can work effectively with engineering teams and understand high-level system interactions - Willingness to travel (often 25–75% depending on deployment needs) PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience working with the U.S. military, Department of Defense, or national security programs - Experience building, managing, or scaling partnership programs across multiple stakeholders or organizations - Experience coordinating multi-party efforts involving external partners, customers, and internal teams - Background in defense tech, autonomy, robotics, C2, or related mission systems (not required, but helpful) - Experience supporting deployments, pilots, or programs that involved multiple vendors or partner technologies - Prior experience at a startup or high-growth company - Strong understanding of how partnerships contribute to technical adoption, proposal success, and operational outcomes COMPENSATION & BENEFITS - Base salary range: $120k- $210k per year. Base salary is just one part of your total compensation package at Picogrid. - Significant stock options with a high potential upside as an early-stage company - 401(k) with employer matching - Full health coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance) - Relocation assistance provided (if applicable) - Unlimited PTO (two-week minimum) and 11 paid holidays per year - Paid parental leave for both parents - Lunch provided when working in-office and a fully stocked kitchenette - Free EV charging at the HQ - Unique office in El Segundo, CA stocked with quality coffee, snacks, and craft beer EXPORT CONTROL REQUIREMENTS To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Picogrid is committed to providing a professional work environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. We are an equal opportunity employer and make all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.