# Telecom Partnerships & Business Development Lead

**Company:** [Skydio](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/skydio)
**Location:** San Mateo, CA
**Role:** Partnerships
**Salary:** $230k – $285k/yr
**Skills:** Telecommunications, Wireless Communications, Network Infrastructure, Network Protocols, 5G, Dynamic Network Slicing, Quality Of Service, Radio Resource Management, Data Connectivity, Device Certification
**Posted:** 2026-08-26

> Leads telecom carrier partnerships and business development for drone connectivity, negotiating agreements, shaping connectivity business models, and coordinating certification and field deployments. Requires a technical background, strong analytical ability, and experience managing complex cross-functional initiatives.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Develop and implement Skydio’s strategy for engaging telecom carriers, deepening existing relationships and expanding the partner ecosystem in the United States, North America, and internationally.
- Translate customer needs into telecom agreements that provide network access, sufficient data connectivity, and sustainable business partnerships.
- Advocate for simple, easy-to-use in-flight data connectivity from a drone’s first boot.
- Build business models for in-flight data access and monitor usage and costs to validate them.
- Set regulatory and telecom-carrier certification priorities for drones.
- Build field relationships between telecom partners and Skydio’s field team for major events and public gatherings.
- Support customer missions and major incidents.

## Requirements
- Demonstrated ability to translate customer needs into priorities and drive implementation across complex technical or business initiatives.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to break complex processes into actionable steps.
- Excellent communication skills across internal teams and partner organizations.
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects and overlapping deadlines.
- Engineering or technical degree, such as computer science, telecommunications, or a scientific field, and/or experience managing complex technical requirements.

## Nice-to-haves
- Experience at a growth-stage startup.
- Interest or experience in wireless communications, including bit rates, quality of service, and large-scale network operations.
- Telecommunications experience at a carrier or supplier such as AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Cisco, Nokia, or Ericsson.
- Familiarity with carrier network infrastructure and protocols.
- Familiarity with 5G features including dynamic network slicing, high-reliability and low-latency communications, and radio resource management for airborne devices.

## Compensation
- Annual base salary: $230,000–$285,000.
- Eligible full-time employees may enroll in benefit plans and receive incentives and stipends.

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