Mission Lead - CENTCOM AOR (GCC Based)

The role

The Mission Lead is the in-theater owner of program delivery, customer success, and operational outcomes across the CENTCOM AOR. You will lead deployments, coordinate stakeholders, and ensure mission execution across Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE.

What you will do

• Lead deployments across NAVCENT, AFCENT, ARCENT, MARCENT, and SOCCENT environments
• Coordinate execution across GCC installations and forward locations
• Interface with Security Cooperation Offices, U.S. Embassies, and host-nation stakeholders
• Manage logistics including visas, customs, export controls, and installation access
• Own delivery timelines, customer success, and operational outcomes
• Bridge field operations with U.S.-based engineering and product teams
• Scope new engagements and translate AOR-specific constraints into technical and schedule commitments
• Capture operational feedback and drive product improvements

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, or related field
• 5+ years of program or technical delivery leadership in defense or mission-critical environments
• Direct OCONUS deployment or in-theater leadership experience
• Experience working with U.S. Military or government stakeholders
• Technical fluency in complex systems (autonomy, robotics, or distributed systems)
• Active Secret clearance
• U.S. citizenship
• Valid U.S. passport with 12+ months validity and multiple blank pages
• Willingness to deploy OCONUS for extended rotations (30–90 days)
• Ability to operate independently in austere environments with limited supervision and connectivity

Nice to have

• Prior military service or defense industry experience working with forward-deployed U.S. forces
• Direct experience in the CENTCOM AOR (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE) or adjacent theaters
• Familiarity with CENTCOM component commands and their operating rhythms
• Familiarity with SOFAs, the U.S.–UAE DCA, and installation-specific access requirements
• Experience navigating ITAR/EAR, Foreign Disclosure, and export control practices
• Familiarity with DoD installation access procedures, CAC sponsorship, LOAs, and country clearance (APACS)
• Advanced degree (MBA, MS, or equivalent)
• Existing TS/SCI clearance
• Regional language exposure (Arabic)

Benefits

• Premium medical, dental, and vision coverage with zero paycheck premiums for you and your family
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with Company match
• Equity grants for new hires
• Unlimited PTO
• 11 Paid holidays
• Company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in November and December
• Generous Parental Leave
• Military Leave for annual training or service requirements
• FSA
• DCFSA
• HSA
• Professional Development Opportunities

Before you apply

• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual, or otherwise eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Com
• Active Secret clearance required

About the company

NODA is a veteran-owned, venture-backed technology company transforming how unmanned systems collaborate in complex, mission-critical environments. Their distributed orchestration platform enables autonomous coordination of heterogeneous unmanned systems across air, sea, land, and space.