CPT Senior Proposal Manager Jobs
Senior Proposal Manager roles in federal contracting and defense align directly with graduate programs in public administration, business, and project management, making them strong CPT candidates. Your DSO must confirm the role ties to your curriculum before you start. Expect employers to ask for a detailed CPT authorization letter covering proposal development, compliance coordination, and cross-functional team leadership.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
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
The Sr Manager, Deployment Operations is a strategic project leader who drives deployment velocity through business program design, cross-functional initiatives, and operational systems innovation. This role partners directly with the VP of Field & Professional Services to design and launch customer-facing deployment services, internal operating systems, and strategic initiatives that enable our field teams to deploy enterprise drone systems faster and more effectively. You'll operate at the intersection of strategy and execution—translating operational challenges into scalable business solutions, designing programs that accelerate customer deployments, and building the internal infrastructure (forecasting models, pipeline management systems, operational processes) that enables our deployment organization to scale. Everything you do will be rooted in delivering value for our customers - defense, public safety, and critical infrastructure organizations that depend on reliable drone operations in high-stakes scenarios.
LOCATION
Location: San Francisco Bay Area Preferred (Hybrid) or Remote
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Travel expectations vary by location. HQ-based employees should expect 10–15% travel, while remote-based employees should expect approximately 25% travel, to support field operations and attend meetings or initiatives at HQ.
HOW YOU’LL MAKE AN IMPACT
Strategic Project Leadership (40%)
- Lead strategic initiatives that increase deployment velocity and improve customer experience
- Design customer-facing deployment services and program offerings
- Own project lifecycle from concept to stakeholder alignment to launch support. Success is measured by customer outcomes, not task completion
- Drive adoption of strategic programs across field teams and cross-functional partners
- Build business cases and measure impact of strategic initiatives
Operating Systems & Process Design (30%)
- Design internal operating systems for deployment forecasting, pipeline management, and performance tracking
- Build operational frameworks and management systems that enable scalable field operations
- Develop process improvements that reduce deployment cycle time
- Create analytical frameworks and reporting infrastructure for operational decision-making
- Document operational best practices and standard frameworks
Executive Support & Strategic Analysis (20%)
- Conduct research and analysis to inform VP's strategic decisions
- Develop scenario analyses for capacity planning and resource allocation
- Prepare executive materials, business reviews, and strategic presentations
- Build decision frameworks and analytical tools that accelerate strategic choices
- Support business case development for new service offerings
Cross-Functional Coordination (10%)
- Coordinate strategic initiatives across Sales, Product, Engineering, Operations, and Customer Success
- Facilitate alignment between functions on deployment priorities and programs
- Partner with internal teams on service design, customer programs, and operational improvements
- Drive accountability through influence and relationship building
Experience
What Makes You a Great Fit
- 6-8+ years in strategic operations, program management, or business operations
- 3+ years in hardware deployment, field operations, or enterprise B2B operations
- Proven track record designing and launching business programs or service offerings
- Experience driving cross-functional initiatives in high-growth environments
- Defense, aerospace, hardware, or enterprise technology background preferred
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Exceptional strategic thinking and business judgment—ability to deeply understand problems before jumping to solutions
- Strong analytical skills with ability to build financial models and business cases
- Proven ability to design operating systems, forecasting models, and management frameworks
- Experience influencing without authority in matrixed organizations—comfortable with direct, candid communication
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Systems thinker who designs scalable, pragmatic solutions that deliver customer value
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Understanding of field operations, deployment processes, and service delivery
- Familiarity with CRM systems, data analysis tools, and project management platforms
- Ability to quickly learn technical concepts and translate into business language
- Experience with operational forecasting and pipeline management
WORKING STYLE
- Thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with urgency to make progress daily
- Comfortable working independently with minimal oversight while staying close to field reality and operational details
- Strategic partner mentality—anticipates needs and develops proactive solutions
- Bias for action with structured approach to execution
- Direct and curious in handling conflict—engages openly rather than complaining through back-channels
- Comfortable covering gaps and helping mature organizational capabilities when you see opportunities
- Commitment to continuous improvement and team-first mindset
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Management consulting or business process optimization experience (strategy/operations consulting, Big 4, boutique firms)
- Experience building new capabilities from scratch—launched service offerings, business lines, or operational functions in 0→1 environment
WHY JOIN SKYDIO FIELD & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
The Opportunity
- Strategic business building role partnering with VP during hypergrowth scaling
- Design programs and operating systems that define field operations for years—solving complex problems that aren't always glamorous but deliver enormous customer value
- High visibility through strategic projects and executive partnership
- Build new capabilities from ground up in mission-critical defense and public safety markets
- Direct impact on enabling autonomous drone deployments that make the world safer
The Challenge
- Fast-paced, ambiguous environment where strategy evolves in real-time and problems emerge in every direction
- Solve complex operational challenges for customers doing high-stakes work in rugged environments
- Influence without authority across Sales, Product, Engineering, and Field Operations
- Balance strategic program design with practical execution support—staying close to field reality while building scalable systems
- Scale deployment operations from hundreds to thousands of enterprise installations serving critical infrastructure
CAREER IMPACT
- Own strategic projects that shape deployment operations at scale during hypergrowth phase
- Build operating systems and business programs from ground up that define how field operations work for years
- Direct partnership with VP on strategic initiatives and organizational design
- Exposure to executive leadership through materials, cross-functional projects, and strategic recommendations
- Opportunity to build entirely new capabilities as the organization scales—from deployment services to professional services consulting
- Establish expertise as thought leader on deployment operations, business systems design, and field operations strategy
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 $140,000 - $205,000. 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/
INTRODUCTION
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
The Sr Manager, Deployment Operations is a strategic project leader who drives deployment velocity through business program design, cross-functional initiatives, and operational systems innovation. This role partners directly with the VP of Field & Professional Services to design and launch customer-facing deployment services, internal operating systems, and strategic initiatives that enable our field teams to deploy enterprise drone systems faster and more effectively. You'll operate at the intersection of strategy and execution—translating operational challenges into scalable business solutions, designing programs that accelerate customer deployments, and building the internal infrastructure (forecasting models, pipeline management systems, operational processes) that enables our deployment organization to scale. Everything you do will be rooted in delivering value for our customers - defense, public safety, and critical infrastructure organizations that depend on reliable drone operations in high-stakes scenarios.
LOCATION
Location: San Francisco Bay Area Preferred (Hybrid) or Remote
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Travel expectations vary by location. HQ-based employees should expect 10–15% travel, while remote-based employees should expect approximately 25% travel, to support field operations and attend meetings or initiatives at HQ.
HOW YOU’LL MAKE AN IMPACT
Strategic Project Leadership (40%)
- Lead strategic initiatives that increase deployment velocity and improve customer experience
- Design customer-facing deployment services and program offerings
- Own project lifecycle from concept to stakeholder alignment to launch support. Success is measured by customer outcomes, not task completion
- Drive adoption of strategic programs across field teams and cross-functional partners
- Build business cases and measure impact of strategic initiatives
Operating Systems & Process Design (30%)
- Design internal operating systems for deployment forecasting, pipeline management, and performance tracking
- Build operational frameworks and management systems that enable scalable field operations
- Develop process improvements that reduce deployment cycle time
- Create analytical frameworks and reporting infrastructure for operational decision-making
- Document operational best practices and standard frameworks
Executive Support & Strategic Analysis (20%)
- Conduct research and analysis to inform VP's strategic decisions
- Develop scenario analyses for capacity planning and resource allocation
- Prepare executive materials, business reviews, and strategic presentations
- Build decision frameworks and analytical tools that accelerate strategic choices
- Support business case development for new service offerings
Cross-Functional Coordination (10%)
- Coordinate strategic initiatives across Sales, Product, Engineering, Operations, and Customer Success
- Facilitate alignment between functions on deployment priorities and programs
- Partner with internal teams on service design, customer programs, and operational improvements
- Drive accountability through influence and relationship building
Experience
What Makes You a Great Fit
- 6-8+ years in strategic operations, program management, or business operations
- 3+ years in hardware deployment, field operations, or enterprise B2B operations
- Proven track record designing and launching business programs or service offerings
- Experience driving cross-functional initiatives in high-growth environments
- Defense, aerospace, hardware, or enterprise technology background preferred
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Exceptional strategic thinking and business judgment—ability to deeply understand problems before jumping to solutions
- Strong analytical skills with ability to build financial models and business cases
- Proven ability to design operating systems, forecasting models, and management frameworks
- Experience influencing without authority in matrixed organizations—comfortable with direct, candid communication
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Systems thinker who designs scalable, pragmatic solutions that deliver customer value
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Understanding of field operations, deployment processes, and service delivery
- Familiarity with CRM systems, data analysis tools, and project management platforms
- Ability to quickly learn technical concepts and translate into business language
- Experience with operational forecasting and pipeline management
WORKING STYLE
- Thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with urgency to make progress daily
- Comfortable working independently with minimal oversight while staying close to field reality and operational details
- Strategic partner mentality—anticipates needs and develops proactive solutions
- Bias for action with structured approach to execution
- Direct and curious in handling conflict—engages openly rather than complaining through back-channels
- Comfortable covering gaps and helping mature organizational capabilities when you see opportunities
- Commitment to continuous improvement and team-first mindset
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Management consulting or business process optimization experience (strategy/operations consulting, Big 4, boutique firms)
- Experience building new capabilities from scratch—launched service offerings, business lines, or operational functions in 0→1 environment
WHY JOIN SKYDIO FIELD & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
The Opportunity
- Strategic business building role partnering with VP during hypergrowth scaling
- Design programs and operating systems that define field operations for years—solving complex problems that aren't always glamorous but deliver enormous customer value
- High visibility through strategic projects and executive partnership
- Build new capabilities from ground up in mission-critical defense and public safety markets
- Direct impact on enabling autonomous drone deployments that make the world safer
The Challenge
- Fast-paced, ambiguous environment where strategy evolves in real-time and problems emerge in every direction
- Solve complex operational challenges for customers doing high-stakes work in rugged environments
- Influence without authority across Sales, Product, Engineering, and Field Operations
- Balance strategic program design with practical execution support—staying close to field reality while building scalable systems
- Scale deployment operations from hundreds to thousands of enterprise installations serving critical infrastructure
CAREER IMPACT
- Own strategic projects that shape deployment operations at scale during hypergrowth phase
- Build operating systems and business programs from ground up that define how field operations work for years
- Direct partnership with VP on strategic initiatives and organizational design
- Exposure to executive leadership through materials, cross-functional projects, and strategic recommendations
- Opportunity to build entirely new capabilities as the organization scales—from deployment services to professional services consulting
- Establish expertise as thought leader on deployment operations, business systems design, and field operations strategy
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 $140,000 - $205,000. 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/
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Get Access To All JobsSenior Proposal Manager CPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Proposal Manager role qualify for CPT?
Yes, if your degree program includes coursework in project management, public administration, contract management, or business strategy. CPT requires the work to be an integral part of your curriculum, so your DSO must connect the specific duties, like RFP coordination, compliance review, or capture planning, to your academic requirements. A generic approval without that link can jeopardize your status.
What should my CPT authorization letter include for this role?
Your DSO's authorization letter should name the employer, your start and end dates, and the specific proposal management tasks tied to your curriculum. Vague descriptions like 'business internship' aren't enough. Reference duties such as leading proposal teams, managing compliance matrices, coordinating with technical writers, and responding to federal RFPs to make the academic connection explicit and defensible.
Can I work as a Senior Proposal Manager on part-time CPT?
Yes, and part-time CPT (under 20 hours per week) doesn't count against your 12-month OPT eligibility, which matters for post-graduation planning. Some employers in federal contracting will accommodate part-time schedules during active solicitation cycles. Clarify the expected weekly hours in your offer letter before your DSO authorizes the placement.
How do I find Senior Proposal Manager employers who hire CPT students?
Most Senior Proposal Manager roles sit inside federal contractors, defense firms, and consulting companies that have structured internship pipelines and are accustomed to work authorization documentation. Migrate Mate surfaces employers with verified CPT and OPT hiring history in proposal and program management, so you can focus on companies that already understand the authorization process rather than educating employers from scratch.
Will doing CPT as a Senior Proposal Manager help with H-1B specialty occupation later?
It can, significantly. Senior Proposal Manager is a degree-level role that maps to business operations and program management specializations. The project records, compliance documents, and proposal deliverables you produce during CPT become evidence for specialty occupation when USCIS evaluates a future H-1B petition. Keep organized records of every RFP response and proposal you lead throughout your CPT period.
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