Deployment Strategist, Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)

About Shift5

Shift5 is building the data platform for onboard operational technology (OT). We deliver cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, and capabilities that enable defense and commercial fleets to operate with greater readiness, resilience, and mission assurance.

We are seeking a mission-aligned Deployment Strategist, RPA to support customer success, operational execution, and growth across unmanned aerial vehicle programs and mission environments.

This role sits at the intersection of customer engagement, mission delivery, and operational strategy and will play a critical role in helping customers realize the value of Shift5 capabilities across RPA platforms and operational units.

This is not a purely customer support role. It requires operational credibility, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate operator and mission needs into actionable insights that drive customer success and long-term business growth.

Note: This position requires U.S. citizenship due to federal contract requirements and access to controlled information.

What You’ll Do

• Build, maintain, and expand relationships with RPA operators, program offices, maintainers, cybersecurity personnel, mission planners, and senior leadership stakeholders.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to customers by understanding mission requirements, operational pain points, and platform-level priorities across unmanned systems environments.
  • Identify and document new use cases, operational challenges, and opportunities where Shift5 capabilities can deliver measurable value.
  • Engage directly with operational personas to gather mission insights, customer feedback, and product enhancement opportunities.
  • Partner closely with Sales/Account Executives, Field Engineering, Product, and Program Management teams to ensure successful deployments and long-term customer adoption.
  • Drive customer-facing demonstrations and support operational engagements showcasing Shift5 platform capabilities within RPA environments.
  • Serve as a primary feedback conduit between customers and internal teams, communicating customer successes, mission requirements, and product feedback.
  • Support rapid issue resolution and operational problem solving in fast-paced mission environments.
  • Contribute directly to growing Shift5’s footprint across RPAprograms by identifying and supporting expansion opportunities.
  • Travel domestically up to 40–50% in support of deployments, demonstrations, customer engagements, testing events, and operational activities.

What Success Looks Like

• Establish credibility and trusted relationships across RPA customer stakeholders within the first 90 days.
  • Drive measurable improvements in customer engagement, operational adoption, and mission success outcomes.
  • Improve visibility into operational requirements, platform readiness, and customer priorities across RPA programs.
  • Identify and influence expansion opportunities across unmanned systems programs and operational environments.
  • Contribute to scalable deployment and customer success processes as Shift5 continues to grow across defense markets.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience supporting unmanned aerial systems (UAS/RPA), aviation, defense, military, or operational technology environments.
• Strong customer engagement, stakeholder management, and operational problem-solving skills.
• Deep understanding of RPA mission operations, operational environments, or sustainment ecosystems.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including operators, engineers, maintainers, and senior leadership.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, proactive ownership, and customer-focused mindset.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Aviation, Business, or related field, or equivalent operational experience.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. TS/SCI security clearance.
• Prior military aviation, unmanned systems, or direct experience supporting DoD RPA programs strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting deployments, demonstrations, mission operations, operational testing, or operational technology environments preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $150,000-$190,000

• Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families

• Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions

• Employer-paid Life and Disability Insurance 

• Uncapped paid time off policy 

• Flexible work & remote work policy 

• Tax-deferred public transit benefits with Metro SmartBenefits (DC/MD/VA)  

We are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that embraces the diversity of our people and represents the communities in which we work and the customers we serve. We know the happiest and highest performing teams include people with diverse perspectives and ways of solving problems. We strive to attract and retain talent from all backgrounds and create workplaces where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.   

Shift5 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, age, marital status, ancestry, projected veteran status, or any other protected group or class.