Mission Manager - War Data Platform

Role Description

As the Mission Director for a DoW platform modernization program, you will lead a Defense Unicorns delivery team supporting our Mission Hero through a DoW prime contractor partner. You will serve as the primary point of contact with the prime's program management, own delivery execution and financial performance on a multi-year contract, and partner with Defense Unicorns Tech Leads across the company to ensure the team delivers mission value across platform engineering, DevSecOps, cloud, and SRE disciplines.

First-Year Outcomes:

• A smooth transition from the incumbent contractor with minimal disruption to ongoing delivery
• A successful architecture review with our Mission Hero, introducing UDS as a new technology in the program's core tech stack
• A foundational operational environment established to support ongoing mission delivery

Responsibilities

• Prime Contractor and Mission Hero Relationship
  • Serve as the primary point of contact with the prime contractor's program management
  • Partner with the prime to align Defense Unicorns' scope, deliverables, and team performance with program priorities
  • Build a productive working relationship with our Mission Hero in coordination with the prime
• Delivery Management
  • Own delivery execution across the team, ensuring commitments are met on time and to quality
  • Partner with Defense Unicorns Tech Leads to align program work with broader technical direction
  • Translate Mission Hero and prime requirements into actionable work, and team progress into clear stakeholder communication
  • Surface delivery feedback to Defense Unicorns' Product segment to inform UDS and other product roadmaps
• Team Leadership
  • Lead a cross-functional team spanning platform engineering, DevSecOps, cloud, SRE, configuration management, and Zero Trust
  • Foster an environment for Unicorn growth, mentorship, and coaching
  • Champion Defense Unicorns' values and principles
  • Balance priorities from the Mission Hero, prime, leadership, and team to deliver mission value
• Contract and Financial Accountability
  • Own burn rate management and monthly forecasting against the contract ceiling
  • Lead staffing plans, backfills, and ramp planning across option years in coordination with the contracts team
  • Partner with the contracts team on modifications, option year exercises, and contract compliance

Qualifications

• Active Secret clearance
• Experience leading large (20+) cross-functional engineering or delivery teams
• Experience delivering software or platform programs in a DoW or federal environment
• Experience managing prime-sub or multi-party contractor relationships
• Financial accountability experience on federal contracts, including burn rate and staffing plan ownership

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience transitioning programs from an incumbent contractor
• Familiarity with DoW impact levels (IL2 and above) and authorization processes
• Background in DevSecOps, platform engineering, or cloud infrastructure delivery
• Familiarity with federal contracts, procurement vehicles, and the budget process
• Experience with modern software development practices including DevSecOps, Continuous Delivery, and Agile frameworks
• Technical depth sufficient to understand architectural decisions and translate them for stakeholders, users, and the team

Travel

Travel is expected 4-12 times per year, primarily to the National Capital Region.

Benefits

• Health:
  • Medical/Dental/Vision
  • Premiums are 100% Company Paid
  • Health Reimbursement Account
  • Life Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
• Financial:
  • 401k Retirement Plan
  • Company Stock Options
  • Home Office Budget
• Leave:
  • Flexible Time Off (FTO) plus all Federal Holidays
  • One week for Thanksgiving
  • Two weeks for Christmas and New Year’s
  • Paid Parental Leave
• Learning:
  • Reimbursement for approved trainings/subscriptions
  • Conferences (travel, lodging, and fees)