Embedded Operations Manager (Active Secret Clearance)

Build, Deploy, and Maintain AI for an Unpredictable World Striveworks helps organizations harness the power of artificial intelligence to solve real-world national security and business challenges by serving as the command center between data, models, and business outcomes. Founded by data scientists and engineers, Striveworks set out to make the journey from deployment to ongoing optimization simple and effective. With Striveworks, organizations aren’t just deploying AI—they’re building systems that remain reliable, adaptable, and ready to scale in an unpredictable world. Mission-critical operations require models that perform where they’re deployed, scale as workloads grow, and adapt rapidly as AI capabilities advance. Striveworks meets these demands, increasing reliability and performance while lowering costs—and enabling confident, data-driven decision-making in dynamic environments. The Role The Embedded Operations Manager is Striveworks’ permanent, on-the-ground presence at a US Army Division HQ, accountable for the “last mile” of the NGC2 program. Partnered with the Field Program Manager and Technical Lead, you bridge the gap between high-level program intent and daily tactical execution. This role is designed for a mission-driven professional who thrives on proximity to the Soldier and understands that in an operational environment, presence and follow-through are the only currency that matters. You are the critical link that determines whether Striveworks is viewed as a vendor or a trusted partner. Operating with high autonomy, you manage the ground-level logistics, readiness, and relationships that keep the program moving. An Embedded Operations Manager operates with autonomy, sound judgment, and an ownership mentality—not because someone is watching, but because the mission demands it. This role requires someone who can hold the ground professionally when the rest of the team is remote, who can read a room full of Soldiers and a room full of senior leaders with equal credibility, and who knows instinctively when to solve a problem and when to escalate one. As an operations manager, you take personal ownership of the mission. You are the program’s earliest warning system, ensuring that our software engineers and data scientists are perfectly synced with the unit’s operational reality. Day-to-day responsibilities: Ensure operational readiness: Own the preparation and execution checklists for all exercise cycles and operations, avoiding preventable gaps in systems or facilities access Manage on-site logistics: Lead end-to-end ground logistics, including equipment accountability, teammate enablement, and local project team coordination Cultivate Soldier-level trust: Build deep, daily relationships across the formation to ensure that Striveworks’ capabilities are integrated into the unit’s actual workflow Act as an early warning system: Identify and surface customer friction points, sentiment shifts, and emerging requirements to leadership with enough lead time to act Resolve ground-level issues: Handle customer exceptions and satisfaction issues autonomously, escalating scope changes or senior commander demands to the Field Program Manager Coordinate field execution: Synchronize on-site team activities with the technical roadmap, ensuring ground-level progress alignment to operational requirements Maintain situational awareness: Provide continuous updates on delivery risks and blockers to ensure that program leadership is never surprised by conditions on the ground This position offers a hybrid/on-site work environment at our customer sites in Fort Carson, Colorado. You will be expected to travel up to 15% of the time. The Right Fit In addition to the specific skills and expertise detailed below, we are looking for individuals who share our values. Sharing a set of values allows us to move at the speed of trust.  Collectively, we value a high-trust work environment where people respect each other and use candor kindly and constructively. We value work that intersects passion and perseverance, we geek out about the potential of our contributions, and we find joy in working hard on things that matter. Finally, we value taking ownership, having agency, and feeling individual responsibility for collective results. Here’s what we’re looking for: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent demonstrated experience and 3+ years of experience with military operations at brigade level or higher; someone who understands how formations operate, not just how they’re organized  Demonstrated ability to operate autonomously in ambiguous, high-stakes environments; sound judgment about when to act and when to escalate Track record of building trust with Soldiers and senior leaders through presence and follow-through—not rank or slide decks Strong written and verbal communication across organizational levels; able to represent Striveworks credibly in any room at the formation Sufficient technical fluency to participate meaningfully in software delivery conversations without leading them Active Secret (or above) US security clearance Due to the nature of this role, candidates must have US citizenship The Wish List We’re very interested in candidates who possess the above qualifications, and we appreciate and consider the addition of: Direct experience with Army battlefield technology implementations at the unit level; you’ve watched a capability land well or fail badly, and you know the difference Familiarity with DOD IT, network, and communications infrastructure as an operator, not just an observer Experience with systems-account management, system access administration, or similar on-site enablement responsibilities in a DOD environment Prior experience in an embedded, liaison, or resident role with a defense technology vendor or program office Exposure to agile software delivery practices—enough to track a sprint, understand a backlog, and ask the right questions of a technical team Enough familiarity with machine learning/AI capabilities in operational contexts to explain basic value propositions to a skeptical Soldier The anticipated base pay range for this position is $130,000–$160,000/year. Striveworks’ total compensation package includes a competitive base salary, equity grants, and cash bonuses. The Benefits Medical/dental/vision insurance Voluntary life, long-term disability, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance HSA and FSA (including dependent care FSA) plans  401(k) plan Unlimited PTO Paid parental leave Check us out on https://builtin.com/company/striveworks! Striveworks is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, belief, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity or expression), national origin, social or ethnic origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. Striveworks will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation in the application process, please contact Operations at mailto:hr@striveworks.us. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete an employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Striveworks is a participating employer in the E-Verify program. Offices: Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States (Colorado Springs, CO);