Senior Program Manager, Next Generation Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (NGTUAV)

DS creates systems that power the next generation of radio spectrum intelligence. We collect radio data from all over the world, train neural networks to decipher it, and run them on the smallest chips we can. We’re solving a new, technically hard problem where nothing from other fields works out of the box, and along the way, we’ve built our own stack from scratch, including entirely new embedding model architectures, custom GPU kernels, and much more.

Joining DS means owning major parts of a fast-growing AI research organization, joining a collaborative, talent-dense team with decades of experience in probabilistic ML, accelerated computing, embedded systems, and signal theory, and growing your career in the areas that interest you. You’ll fit in if you want to come to work for the problem itself and don’t want to choose between technical rigor, business value, and real-world impact.

We work with high ownership and trust, and we do it together in the office 5 days/week.

As the Senior Program Manager for NGTUAV, you'll own end-to-end execution of a multi-year SOCOM rapid prototyping contract integrating Distributed Spectrum's RF Vision AI/ML software onto tactical UAS platforms. This is a defining program for the company, taking our edge-AI RF sensing capability into one of the most challenging operational environments possible.

You'll manage a multi-year effort spanning RF characterization, embedded integration, flight testing, and operational demonstrations, coordinating across DS engineering, multiple subcontractors, and the SOCOM program office.

This role reports to the Director of Mission Operations and works closely with DS's Growth, Engineering, and Product functions.

• Own the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) across all DS and partner workstreams, tracking dependencies and driving accountability for 12-month capability delivery cycles.

• Manage contract execution including CDRLs, invoicing, period-of-performance milestones, data rights, and government reporting against the SOCOM contract vehicle.

• Serve as the primary interface to the SOCOM program office, contracting officer, and partner program leads.

• Track and mitigate programmatic and technical risk, maintaining a living risk register that spans infrastructure gaps (RF test lab, UAS integration bench, classified dev environment), personnel readiness, and vendor dependencies.

• Coordinate in-person demonstrations and exercise participation periodically throughout the award, managing logistics, range access, and FAA/DoD waivers.

• Manage subcontractor relationships and teaming agreements, ensuring SOWs, deliverables, and cost performance align across the partner base.

• Drive internal readiness, working with engineering leadership to close infrastructure and staffing gaps required for milestone execution.

• Maintain a single source of truth for program status, artifacts, and decisions, keeping internal communication channels current and usable.

• 5+ years managing DoD rapid prototyping, SBIR Phase III, OTA, or BAA-funded contracts, with demonstrated experience delivering hardware/software integration programs through milestone-based development.

• Comfortable operating as the sole PM on a complex program, i.e. you don't need a PMO behind you to drive schedule, cost, and risk management.

• Strong instinct for multi-partner coordination; you've managed teaming relationships with subcontractors and government labs on programs with real technical interdependencies.

• Experienced with cost accounting, IMS development, and CDRL/deliverables tracking.

• Excellent communicator who can translate between engineering teams, SOF operators, and government acquisition professionals.

• Active Secret clearance required; TS preferred.

• Based in NYC (or willing to relocate), with ability to travel ~25% to partner sites, government facilities, and exercise locations.

• Experience with USSOCOM acquisition processes (BAAST, SOFWERX, SOF AT&L, SOCOM SBIR/XTECH).

• Familiarity with UAS systems, EW/SIGINT, or RF technology programs; you don't need to be an engineer, but you should be able to hold your own in conversations about SWaP constraints, SDR architectures, and ML model deployment.

• Prior work supporting SOCOM/JSOC customer sets.

• Experience standing up program infrastructure (tools, processes, cadence) at a startup or small defense tech company rather than inheriting an existing PMO.

• Lead a flagship program that transitions DS's core RF Vision AI capability from the ground to the air — shaping the company's trajectory in tactical autonomy and signature management.

• Work at the intersection of cutting-edge AI and SOF operations, delivering technology that directly supports operators in contested and denied environments.

• Build from the ground up. This isn't a maintenance PM role; you'll establish the program rhythms, partner relationships, and execution infrastructure from Day 1.

• Thrive in a high-trust, high-autonomy culture where program managers are empowered decision-makers, not slide-deck administrators.

• Fast learners over specific backgrounds – We care more about how quickly you can pick up new skills than where you’ve worked before.

• Intellectual honesty – The right answer matters more than being right. You challenge assumptions, test ideas, and pivot when needed.

• Adaptability – We’re organized, but sometimes things change quickly. You find a way to make it work and balance short-term deliverables with long-term goals.

• Ownership of outcomes – You optimize your own time, focus on what matters to deliver quickly, and cut out inefficiencies.

• Not building in a vacuum – You stay connected to the rest of our teams and our customers to make sure all the pieces fit together.

• Above-market salary, equity, and benefits package.

• Early Series A Equity

• Excellent health, dental, and vision coverage

• 401(k) match - up to 4% of your salary

• Flexible PTO

• Daily office lunches in NYC

ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) 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 eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.