Role at a Glance

Deployment Leads at Gecko Robotics are the driving force behind delivering mission impact to manufacturing customers for Navy and defense applications. This role sits at the intersection of customer value, product strategy, and execution, acting as the connective tissue between customer stakeholders and Gecko's robotics and AI platform. As a Navy Manufacturing Deployment Lead, you will own high-impact deployments focused on automating critical manufacturing workflows and developing digital threads ultimately supporting customers to deliver critical defense assets faster, at a higher quality, and with a digitally-native record for lifecycle management. You will lead cross-functional teams to deploy Gecko's technology across foundries, forges, and manufacturers.

This is a highly dynamic, customer-facing role with up to 50% travel expected. The Deployment Lead is ultimately accountable for making sure Gecko products deliver value. They are business-savvy problem solvers who thrive in ambiguous environments, ask great questions, challenge assumptions, and build trust with customers.

This role supports U.S. Navy manufacturing programs. Its essential functions require regular access to export-controlled technical data, U.S. Government information systems, and customer facilities subject to U.S.-person access requirements. To satisfy the U.S. Government contractual and customer-access requirements applicable to this role, the selected candidate must qualify as a "U.S. person," that is, a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, or other protected individual, including a refugee or asylee, as defined by 8 U.S.C. a7 1324b(a)(3). This requirement applies only to roles with these access needs and is not a general condition of employment at Gecko Robotics or its affiliates.

What you will do

Own Customer Relationships and Deployments

• Serve as the primary owner of high-impact customer deployments, acting as the bridge between Gecko's platform and customer business value.
• Drive execution from initial problem definition through delivery and translate Gecko's platform into strategic value for defense manufacturing customers
• Engage directly with customer stakeholders-at all levels-to uncover high-value problems and maintain strong relationships, even in challenging situations.
• Build trust across technical, operational, and senior leadership stakeholders
• Manage expectations, communicate progress, and expand mission impact over time

Lead Teams and Execution

• Lead cross-functional teams of Product Strategists, Product Designers, and Forward Deployed Engineers to define what should be built, why it matters, and how to ensure it lands successfully.
• Drive execution and implementation of Gecko's tech stack, ensuring delivery of business outcomes-not just software.
• Navigate ambiguity, align stakeholders, and maintain momentum in complex environments
• Build business models and use data to support strategic recommendations and validate solutions.
• Travel as needed (up to 50%) to support deployments, engage stakeholders, and remove blockers.

About You

Required Skills (If Applicable)

• 7+ years experience in program delivery, consulting, product, or operations in complex environments
• Experience working in heavy industry manufacturing or the DoD/maritime ecosystem
• Proven ability to manage large, cross-functional efforts with multiple stakeholders
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to translate data into decisions
• Excellent communication skills across technical and executive audiences
• Ability to operate in ambiguous, fast-paced environments and drive outcomes

Preferred Skills (If Applicable)

• Experience with Navy manufacturing, major defense primes, or foundry/forge environments
• Familiarity with digitally-native manufacturing
• Background in engineering, manufacturing, data analytics, or systems integration
• Experience deploying software or data platforms in production environments
• Understanding of structural inspection, corrosion, or lifecycle modeling