Business Operations Manager

Job Opportunity At Airbase

Airbase builds the software platform for radio frequency spectrum licensing, coordination, and intelligence. Backed by a16z, we are a fast-moving, dual-use startup transforming wireless communication from a static, analog bottleneck into a dynamic, software-defined advantage.

Today, the world's most advanced hardware—from satellite mega-constellations to Army UAS swarms and Electronic Warfare systems—is grounded by 20th-century paperwork. Spectrum coordination relies on fragmented databases, missing systems of record, and decades of static PDFs. Airbase is fixing this. We've built novel AI pipelines to digitize this analog bureaucracy and translate it into a software-defined, machine-readable data layer. We are transforming the spectrum from a static bottleneck into a dynamic advantage, delivering machine-speed tactical deconfliction for the military and automated licensing for commercial innovators.

What You'll Do

• Build the Engine: Establish and manage the company's core operational systems. Own our internal tools, vendor relationships, and business platforms to ensure the team operates at peak efficiency.

• Finance & Accounting Ops: Manage day-to-day financial operations, including AP/AR, payroll, expense tracking, and assisting the founders with financial modeling and investor reporting.

• Government & Defense Compliance: Help navigate the administrative side of defense tech. Track and manage compliance for our DoW contracts, manage SAM.gov/CAGE code requirements, and assist with security/facility clearance processes.

• Talent & Culture Pipeline: Run point on recruiting operations. Manage job postings, coordinate interview loops, build a world-class onboarding experience for new hires, and help shape the culture of a rapidly growing team.

• Strategic Projects: Parachute into whatever the business needs most on any given day. That might mean organizing a high-stakes tech demo for the Army, drafting a grant proposal, or finding our next office space in NYC.

What We're Looking For

• The "Zero-to-One" Operator: 3–5 years of experience in business operations, chief of staff, or consulting roles. You have ideally worked at an early-stage, fast-paced startup before and thrive in unstructured environments.

• Highly organized and detail-oriented: You keep track of many moving pieces at once and put systems in place so nothing falls through the cracks.

• High Agency: You see a problem, figure out how to solve it, and execute without needing hand-holding. You are comfortable reading the documentation and figuring things out on the fly.

• Exceptional Communicator: You can draft a clean, punchy email, write clear internal documentation, and communicate complex operational bottlenecks to the team simply and directly.

• No Ego: No task is too small, and no challenge is too big. You are just as comfortable taking out the trash as you are preparing a board deck.

Bonus Points

• Experience working in defense tech, aerospace, or navigating government procurement and compliance.

• Familiarity with early-stage startup finance/HR tools (Deel, Ramp, QuickBooks, etc.).

• Active U.S. Security Clearance (or eligibility to obtain one).

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive salary with opportunities for growth and equity in an early stage startup.

• Comprehensive health insurance plans.

• Regular team-building events and company retreats.

Airbase is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.