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Air Defense Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Integrated Air & Missile Defense (IAMD) SME Location: Washington, DC Clearance: Active TS/SCI Required *Contingent on Contract Award Overview STi is seeking an IAMD SME to support strategic ...

ORA_ON_SITE Description SAIC is seeking a Live Virtual Constructive Air Defense Facilitator to provide subject matter expertise in integrated air defense tactics, techniques, and procedures in ...

Integrated Air & Missile Defense (IAMD) SME Location: Washington, DC Clearance: Active TS/SCI Required *Contingent on Contract Award Overview STi is seeking an IAMD SME to support strategic ...

ORA_ON_SITE Description SAIC is seeking a Live Virtual Constructive Air Defense Facilitator to provide subject matter expertise in integrated air defense tactics, techniques, and procedures in ...

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Air Defense information

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$11K

$39.5K

$46K

How much do air defense jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for air defense in the United States is $39,463.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35,000.00 and $45,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Air Defense job?

An Air Defense job involves protecting assets, personnel, and territories from aerial threats such as enemy aircraft, missiles, and drones. Personnel in this role operate and maintain defense systems like radar, surface-to-air missiles, and automated tracking systems. They work in coordination with intelligence and surveillance teams to detect and neutralize threats effectively. Air Defense professionals are commonly found in military organizations and specialized security units. Their duties require technical expertise, rapid decision-making, and a strong understanding of aerospace defense strategies.

What does a typical workday look like for someone in Air Defense?

A typical day in Air Defense involves monitoring airspace using advanced radar and surveillance technology, assessing potential threats, and coordinating responses with other defense personnel. You may participate in regular training exercises, system maintenance, and readiness drills to ensure you can respond efficiently in real-world situations. The role is highly collaborative, often requiring close communication with operators, technical specialists, and commanding officers. Shifts can be irregular, and the environment is fast-paced and mission-focused, providing opportunities to develop technical and leadership skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Air Defense position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Air Defense, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to quickly interpret and act on radar data, typically supported by military training and relevant technical certifications. Familiarity with air defense systems such as radar tracking, missile guidance, and command and control software is essential. Exceptional teamwork, clear communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are key soft skills for this role. These attributes are crucial to rapidly assess threats, coordinate responses, and maintain operational effectiveness in high-stress environments.

More about Air Defense jobs
What cities are hiring for Air Defense jobs? Cities with the most Air Defense job openings:
What states have the most Air Defense jobs? States with the most job openings for Air Defense jobs include:
Program Manager, Homeland Air Defense

Program Manager, Homeland Air Defense

Anduril Industries

Washington, DC

Other

Posted 27 days ago


Anduril rating

9.4

Company rating: 9.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Air Defense team builds robots that find other robots and knock them out of the sky. At a time when air superiority can no longer be taken for granted, the Air Defense team provides mission critical capabilities to protect the nation's most important assets. From detection to tracking, identification, deterrence, and defeat, our family of networked sensors, effectors, and Command & Control (C2) software enables our customers to rapidly close the kill chain against a broad range of UAS threats. Working across product, engineering, business development, logistics, and operations, the Air Defense team develops, tests, deploys, and sustains the Anduril Air Defense Family of Systems in challenging operational environments worldwide.


ABOUT THE JOB

Our Air Defense team is responsible for developing and fielding CUAS capabilities around the world. We are seeking a Program Manager to join our growing team focused on protecting critical national security assets within the United States. This role is designed for a strong operator who will help scale our domestic, civilian, and commercial deployments.
Operating CUAS capabilities inside the United States requires a combination of technical rigor, operational excellence, and regulatory awareness. Our systems must integrate seamlessly with civilian airspace operations while meeting federal, state, and local legal authorities governing counter-drone activity. Our customers depend on precise execution, regulatory compliance, and professional fielding in environments where safety, legal authority, and public trust are paramount.
This role is responsible for driving program execution to protect critical infrastructure, government facilities, and commercial sites. You will serve as the operational expert for domestic Air Defense deployments-ensuring systems, personnel, training, documentation, and regulatory requirements are aligned for mission success. You will build repeatable deployment processes, manage cross-functional coordination, and serve as the connective tissue between technical teams and customers.
You will operate at the intersection of technology development, operational deployment, and customer engagement - serving as a key integrator across teams and ensuring the program executes effectively and efficiently at scale. You will directly support program cost, schedule, risk management, executive reporting, and strategic execution.
This role is ideal for an operator who thrives in ambiguity, is comfortable in front of customers and executives, wants to scale at speed, and build long-term sustainable operations.

WHAT YOU'LL DOProgram Execution
  • Develop and maintain program execution frameworks, milestones, and reporting structures to ensure alignment across technical and operational teams
  • Drive program coordination across engineering, product, growth, compliance, and supply chain
  • Develop executive-level reporting, dashboards, and briefings to communicate program health and progress to leadership
  • Identify program risks early and drive mitigation strategies across technical and operational stakeholders
  • Ensure program execution aligns with applicable federal, state, and local regulatory frameworks governing domestics CUAS operations
  • Coordinate with regulatory and policy stakeholders to support deployments operating within FAA, DHS, and other relevant authorities
  • Serve as subject matter expert to ensure operational concepts and deployment strategies reflect real-world legal and regulatory constraints as well as operational realities
Deployment Planning
  • Oversee planning and coordination of CUAS deployments - from planning and logistics through on-site activation to long-term sustainment
  • Develop structured deployment plans, readiness gates, and operational checklists to ensure repeatable execution
  • Coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver mission-ready capabilities to customer sites
  • Lead after-action reviews and capture lessons learned to continuously improve deployment velocity and quality
Stakeholder Engagement
  • Serve as senior program representative during key deployments and operational activities
  • Ensure clear, proactive communication across internal stakeholders and external customers
  • Drive stakeholder alignment across technical, operational, and regulatory teams to ensure program decisions are made quickly, transparently, and in support of mission success
  • Ensure coordination between program leadership, field operations, and customer stakeholders to maintain readiness and program credibility
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • 6+ years of experience in deployment operations, defense programs, aerospace systems, logistics, or technical project management
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex, cross-functional programs involving hardware and software systems in high-stakes or regulated environments
  • Experience working with domestic government entities, critical infrastructure operators, or regulated commercial customers
  • Strong operational rigor-ability to build structured plans, manage concurrent workstreams, and execute against tight timelines
  • Proven ability to cut through ambiguity and drive cross-functional alignment without formal authority
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; comfortable briefing senior leadership and customer executives
  • Willingness to travel up to 50% as program and deployment needs require
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain a security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Familiarity with the domestic CUAS operating environment with direct experience work on sensor networks, autonomy, or ISR platforms
  • Knowledge of FAA coordination, regulatory compliance, and operational integration within civilian infrastructure
  • Prior experience in a Deputy Program Manager, Program Analyst, or Technical Program Management role
  • Familiarity with domestic airspace regulations, FAA coordination, or CUAS legal frameworks
  • Background in DoD, DHS, or critical infrastructure protection programs
  • Experience scaling operations from early-stage deployments to sustained production and fielding
  • MBA or advanced degree in Business, Public Policy, Engineering, or a related technical discipline

Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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