Chief Operating Officer
Simplesense builds, deploys, and sustains the Installation Resilience Platform that enables mission operators to rapidly adapt and respond. The Platform protects critical infrastructure from cyber attack while unlocking previously siloed information to monitor, diagnose, and improve response times to incidents. Our adversaries rapidly adopt the latest technology: we help defense users respond in kind.
Simplesense is a non-traditional defense contractor and prime on the Air Force's Installation Resilience Operations Command and Control (IROC) program, which is now expanding to five additional Air Force, Space Force, and Army installations from the one prototype installation, Tyndall Air Force Base.
Our team combines over 100 years of direct mission experience solving hard problems with 50 years technical expertise deploying DevSecOps, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure, giving us a deep appreciation for our customers’ mission and end users’ priorities. We build for scale, architecting and prioritizing technical work for long term sustainability.
Simplesense is hiring a strategic business operations leader to scale the core business functions of a fast-growing defense contractor in alignment with rapid, profitable growth on our remote, US-based team. This role is ideal for a seasoned operator with a founder’s mindset -- someone who blends operational rigor, strategic planning, and proven experience. This leader will drive operational excellence, ensure compliance, and build scalable systems to support the company’s rapid growth.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Execution
- Oversee day-to-day business operations (IT, finance, logistics, contracting, HR) to ensure efficiency and delivery
- Implement scalable systems, processes, and OKRs to support rapid growth and federal compliance
- Champion continuous improvement across workflows, productivity, and performance metrics
Strategic Planning & Execution
- Collaborate with the CEO and executive team to set business goals.
- Lead efforts in risk management, operational sustainability, and business continuity
Defense Contracting & Compliance
- Develop, improve, and ensure adherence to company policies implementing FAR/DFARS, ITAR, CMMC, NIST 800-171
- Manage complex contract ecosystems, including primes, subcontractors, and agency offices
Financial & Business Performance
- Co-lead budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation with CEO
- Use financial insights to guide operational decisions and increase margin
- Support growth efforts through operational modeling and pricing strategy
Leadership & Team Management
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing operational team
- Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement
- Enable clear communication and collaboration between departments
Qualifications
Required
- 15+ years of leadership in defense contracting or government services.
- Prior founder or executive experience in a scaling, high-growth environment
- Expertise in federal acquisition, delivery operations, and compliance frameworks
- Proven financial acumen and success managing P&Ls and driving operational scale
- Deep understanding of DoD procurement, contracting vehicles, and compliance regulations.
- Ability to obtain/maintain a security clearance.
Competitive benefits package including equity
- Medical, Life, Short-Term Disability, and AD&D insurance
- Medical travel coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- 401K matching
- Professional development and leadership training opportunities
- Equity