Business Operations Associate
Swarm Aero
Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming as well as the Command & Control software to mobilize swarms of thousands of heterogeneous autonomous assets and empower human operators to achieve superhuman results.
The team has created and exited multiple startups, negotiated defense deals worth billions of dollars and designed and built 30+ novel aircraft, with aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.
As our first Business Operations Associate, you’ll work directly with our Head of Business Operations to build the systems, processes, and insights that drive our growth. You’ll wear multiple hats—finance, operations, strategy, and data—while helping us scale responsibly and efficiently. The right person will have high agency and will be given high trust and a path to leadership.
This is a rare opportunity to join at ground level, working across the entire company to set up the foundations of BizOps at a frontier-tech startup.
What you’ll do:
- Be a “barrel”: a problem-solver and team amplifier. Act as a “glue” between technical, business, and leadership teams.
- Build financial models and scenario analysis tools to help drive company strategy.
- Spearhead cross-functional projects (aircraft engineering, manufacturing, software, G&A) to ensure milestones are met and resources are aligned.
- Develop lightweight processes for planning, budgeting, reporting, and goal tracking as we grow.
- Conduct market, competitive, and operational analyses to inform executive decision-making.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics, Engineering, or related field.
- 4+ years of experience in investment banking, management consulting, or Big 4 strategy/transactions.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills, with experience in high-leverage / high-value projects.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas across business and technical teams.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, ambiguous startup environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 5+ years of experience in BizOps, FP&A, strategy, or internal consulting at a high-growth startup.
- Exposure to aerospace, defense, or frontier technology sectors.
- Familiarity with building dashboards and lightweight reporting systems (Excel, SQL, or BI tools).
- Track record of driving cross-functional initiatives and aligning stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to thrive as a “utility player”—comfortable moving between finance, operations, and strategy.
- Wild card: spiky in one unique direction.
Compensation Range:
- $130,000 - $160,000 + Equity
What we Offer
- Meaningful equity stake in a high-growth defense technology company
- Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401k
- PTO and Paid Sick Time
- Monthly Wellness Stipend
- Daily catered lunch to office
- Paid Parental leave
- Flexible work arrangement - remote/hybrid with regular collaboration in Oxnard
- Direct impact opportunity - be a key leader in building a critical technology for national security
- World-class team - work alongside exceptional engineers and operators solving hard problems
To conform to U.S. Government controlled technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
To conform to U.S. Government controlled technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.