Site Lead

Who we are

Picogrid is a leading venture-backed defense technology company founded to bridge the decades-long gap between modern technology and the critical demands of national security. Today, we're building the essential infrastructure to unify sensors, autonomy, and operators with our technology deployed in active operations around the world. Our mission is to deliver an operational advantage to secure the United States and its allies.

About the Role

Picogrid is opening a manufacturing facility at FISTA Innovation Park in Lawton, Oklahoma, adjacent to Fort Sill. This site will support production for Picogrid’s core product lines. We are looking for a Site Lead to build, run, and grow our Lawton presence from the ground up.

This role sits at the intersection of operations, community engagement, and business development. You will be the senior Picogrid representative on the ground in Lawton, responsible for standing up and managing day-to-day office operations, cultivating relationships with Fort Sill leadership and local government stakeholders, and identifying opportunities to expand Picogrid’s footprint across the region. You will work closely with our founders, engineering team, and business development organization to ensure the Lawton site operates as a high-performing extension of Picogrid’s headquarters in El Segundo.

This is a role for someone who is equal parts operator, relationship builder, and strategic thinker. You should be comfortable managing office operations in the morning, meeting with a garrison commander in the afternoon, and reviewing a proposal opportunity in the evening. The right candidate will see this as a chance to build something meaningful in a community that is rapidly becoming a hub for defense innovation.

At Picogrid, we look for people who are scrappy, ambitious, and thrive in high-intensity environments. We move fast, solve hard problems, and push boundaries in defense technology. Above all, we act with integrity toward our team, our customers, and the mission.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience in military service, government relations, or a combination of these areas.

• Demonstrated ability to establish, prioritize, nurture, and grow relationships with Department of War partners and industry executive leadership with a high degree of independence.

• Experience engaging with U.S. Army leadership, installation management, or local government stakeholders in a professional capacity.

• Strong operational instincts with the ability to manage logistics and personnel in a fast-moving environment.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical capabilities into mission-relevant language for diverse audiences.

• Ability to thrive in an autonomous, fast-paced, and demanding startup environment with minimal oversight.

• Self-starter mentality with a bias for action & ownership of deliverables.

• Low ego, focused on team success, delivering impactful outcomes, and passionately solving mission challenges for our partners.

• Active or eligibility to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior service or deep familiarity with Fort Sill, the Fires Center of Excellence, or Army training and doctrine organizations.

• Existing relationships within the Oklahoma defense and political community, including state legislature, economic development agencies, and installation leadership.

• Knowledge of unmanned systems, C5ISR, sensor integration, or related technologies for ground-based and multi-domain operations.

• Experience working with or scaling an early-stage defense technology company into a growth-stage enterprise.

• Familiarity with federal and state incentive programs for defense manufacturing and economic development.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary range: $105,000- $175,000 per year. Base salary is just one part of your total compensation package at Picogrid.

• Meaningful stock options with high upside as an early-stage company.

• 401(k) with employer matching.

• Full health coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance).

• Relocation assistance provided (if applicable).

• Unlimited PTO (two-week minimum) and 11 paid holidays per year.

• Paid parental leave for both parents.

Export Control Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

#LI-DNP

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Picogrid is committed to providing a professional work environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. We are an equal opportunity employer and make all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.