Regional Deployment Manager - West Region
US Remote - Full-time
Skydio is the leading US drone company and the world leader in autonomous flight, the key technology for the future of drones and aerial mobility. The Skydio team combines deep expertise in artificial intelligence, best-in-class hardware and software product development, operational excellence, and customer obsession to empower a broader, more diverse audience of drone users, from utility inspectors to first responders, soldiers in battlefield scenarios and beyond.
About the Role
Skydio is scaling autonomous drone operations for defense, public safety, and critical infrastructure customers through dock-based systems that redefine what's possible with unmanned aircraft. As we move from hundreds to thousands of dock deployments annually, the Regional Deployment Manager (RDM) is the field leader who makes this scale possible.
You own deployment execution and customer readiness within your geographic region. You translate aggressive company targets into on-time, high-quality dock installations by directly managing deployment engineers and removing every obstacle between signed deals and live operations. This isn't project coordination, it's field operations leadership where you balance speed, quality, safety, and customer experience while building the operational infrastructure that enables hypergrowth.
The right candidate is a field operations leader who thrives in high-velocity environments, manages through influence across organizational boundaries, uses data to drive decisions, and builds scalable systems while executing tactical work. You understand that deployment speed creates same-day validation for customers defending budget decisions to city councils, making your work directly impact revenue expansion and customer advocacy.
Location: Remote within assigned region (West Region: Central, Mountain, or Pacific time zones
Core Responsibilities
Regional Deployment Execution (60%)
Own end-to-end deployment from booking through go-live for all docks in your region
Drive customer site readiness by proactively identifying delays, coordinating make-ready work, and holding customers accountable to firm deployment dates
Manage deployment resources including Deployment Engineers and Deployment Logistics Coordinators to meet capacity demands
Ensure quality and safety by enforcing installation standards, conducting safety briefings, and making go/no-go decisions without business pressure
Resolve blockers by coordinating across internal teams (Launch, Fulfillment, Engineering, Support) and removing obstacles that delay deployments
Forecast accurately using data-driven models and real-time pipeline visibility to predict regional capacity needs
Customer Relationship & Account Management (25%)
Act as deployment authority for customers, building trust through proactive communication and delivering on commitments
Navigate organizational complexity by identifying decision-makers, managing stakeholder expectations, and driving accountability
Turn deployments into advocacy by ensuring first-flight success that validates customer champions' budget decisions
De-escalate issues with empathy and solutions, protecting customer relationships while maintaining Skydio's standards
Drive expansion signals by identifying upsell opportunities during deployment interactions and coordinating with sales/CS
Team Development & Process Improvement (15%)
Coach and develop Deployment Engineers and Coordinators through shadowing, feedback, and skills development
Identify systemic issues by analyzing recurring problems and proposing scalable solutions to leadership
Contribute to strategy by providing field insights that inform product roadmap, go-to-market, and operational priorities
Required Experience & Skills
Field Operations Leadership
5+ years managing field services, technical deployments, or implementation projects
3+ years managing teams (direct reports and/or contractor networks)
Proven track record delivering on aggressive targets in high-growth environments
Experience with enterprise infrastructure deployments (networking, power, physical installations)
Comfortable working at height, outdoor environments, and lifting 50 lbs (per OSHA requirements)
Technical Fluency
Working knowledge of enterprise networking (WiFi, cellular, VPN, firewall configurations)
Familiarity with cloud-connected IoT device deployments and troubleshooting
Understanding of electrical systems, conduit, and physical infrastructure requirements
Ability to diagnose technical issues and coordinate with engineering teams
Operational Excellence
Data-driven decision making: you live in spreadsheets, forecasting models, and dashboards
Project management discipline: you track everything and nothing falls through cracks
Systems thinking: you identify root causes, not just symptoms
Process improvement: you see broken workflows and build better ones
Clear communication: you write concisely, speak directly, and avoid corporate fluff
Leadership & Influence
You drive results through people you don't control (sales, launch, fulfillment)
You balance empathy with accountability: kind and direct, not soft
You make decisions with incomplete information and adjust based on feedback
You coach through questions, not just directions
You build trust quickly with customers and colleagues
Nice-to-Have
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (or willingness to obtain within 90 days)
Experience in utilities, public safety, defense, or infrastructure industries
Background with drones, robotics, or autonomous systems
Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related technical field
Experience managing P&L or professional services revenue
What Makes Skydio Different
Mission-Driven Work: Your deployments enable first responders to save lives, utilities to keep power on, and defense customers to protect national security. Every dock you deploy has real-world impact.
Deployment as Competitive Advantage: Most companies treat deployment as operational overhead. At Skydio, we position deployment velocity and quality as revenue enablers and sales differentiators. You're building something that matters strategically.
Growth Trajectory: We're scaling from hundreds to thousands of dock deployments annually. You'll help build the operational infrastructure, processes, and team that make hypergrowth possible and position yourself for Director-level roles as we scale.
Autonomy & Ownership: You run your region. You make decisions about vendor selection, resource allocation, process changes, and customer commitments without micromanagement. We give you the authority to match your accountability.
Team Culture: We value direct communication, data-driven decisions, and operational excellence. We challenge assumptions, debate ideas, and move fast. We're building something unprecedented and need people who thrive in that environment.
Travel & Work Environment
Travel requirement: 25-40% driven by business needs, regional deployment activity, and field team management requirements. Travel enables effective regional oversight, team support, and customer relationships while maintaining operational efficiency. Includes periodic travel to company headquarters for strategic planning and cross-functional meetings.
Rooftop installations, outdoor environments, and customer facilities (municipalities, utilities, industrial sites)
Some deployments in remote locations with limited amenities
Comfortable working at height and lifting 50 lbs (per OSHA requirements)
Compensation:
At Skydio, our compensation packages for regular, full-time employees include competitive base salaries, equity in the form of stock options, and comprehensive benefits packages. Compensation will vary based on factors, including skill level, proficiencies, transferable knowledge, and experience. Relocation assistance may also be provided for eligible roles. The annual base salary range for this position is $120,000- $155,000. Fundamentally, we believe that equity is the key to long-term financial growth, and we ensure all regular, full-time employees have the opportunity to significantly benefit from the company's success. Regular, full-time employees are eligible to enroll in the Company’s group health insurance plans. Regular, full-time employees are eligible to receive the following benefits: Paid vacation time, sick leave, holiday pay and 401K savings plan. This position and all associated benefits are subject to applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as the Company’s policies and eligibility criteria.
*Compensation for certain positions may vary based on the position’s location.
At Skydio we believe that diversity drives innovation. We have created a multidisciplinary environment that embraces the power of diverse perspectives to create elegant solutions for complex problems. We are committed to growing our network of people, programs, and resources to nurture an inclusive culture.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local anti-discrimination laws.
For positions located in the United States of America, Skydio, Inc. uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/