Operations Specialist, Forward Deployed Engineering

Saronic · Defense · Austin, TX · Software

Operations Specialist to support the Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) team, combining operational execution with program-level project management. The role involves owning logistics, tracking requirements, and managing project schedules and budgets through cross-functional coordination, acting as a chief of staff and project manager.

What you'd actually do

  1. Own and manage project schedules, deliverables, and cross-functional milestones for FDE-led initiatives
  2. Support the definition, documentation, and tracking of technical requirements and system capabilities
  3. Run and coordinate structured design reviews to capture decisions and ensure alignment with engineering and product roadmaps
  4. Track and manage FDE-related budgets, vendor contracts, and spend against plan
  5. Monitor risks, resourcing constraints, and execution dependencies across fielded projects

Skills

Required

  • 3+ years of experience in operations, project coordination, or engineering program management in robotics, aerospace, defense, or a similar field
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, or a related field
  • Experience managing schedules, budgets, and component delivery timelines in a hardware and software environment
  • Proven experience supporting multi-disciplinary teams in fast-paced, field-driven contexts
  • Familiarity with running or supporting design reviews, managing requirements traceability, and coordinating subsystem development efforts
  • Proficient in project management tools (e.g., Monday, Coda, MS Excel, or equivalent)
  • Detail-oriented, with a systems-level mindset, and the ability to manage technical documentation and execution workflows
  • Excellent communicator and able to translate between technical teams, external partners, and operational stakeholders
  • Self-starter with a strong bias toward ownership and a pragmatic, get-things-done attitude
  • Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite), MRP systems (e.g., ION), and BOM management tools (e.g., Arena)

Nice to have

  • Familiarity with U.S. defense contracting, DoD logistics, and proposal/IRAD tracking is preferred

What the JD emphasized

  • hardware and software environment
  • fast-paced, field-driven contexts
  • U.S. defense contracting, DoD logistics, and proposal/IRAD tracking is preferred