Deployment Strategist in Palo Alto, California at Rivet Industries, Inc.

Rivet is an American company building integrated task systems — fusing hardened hardware with software, sensors, AI, and networking — for industrial workforces and defense personnel. We create capabilities that multiply the effectiveness of every individual and withstand the world’s toughest environments.

We serve the people who build, operate, maintain, and defend our way of life. From technicians and engineers to first responders and service members, they embody the hard work, ingenuity, and meritocratic values that drive Western prosperity. Yet too often they are forced to rely on outdated tools that fail under modern pressures. Rivet exists to reset that priority.

At Rivet, you’ll join a mission-driven team that fuses disciplines to deliver decisive outcomes where they matter most. Whether shaping our technology, strengthening our partnerships, or building our culture, every role here contributes to equipping the front lines with the modern systems they deserve.

Work Authorization Requirement: Due to the nature of our business and applicable contractual requirements, this position is restricted to U.S. citizens. Candidates must provide documentation verifying U.S. citizenship upon hire.

Role: Deployment Strategist

Location: San Jose

Compensation*: $125,000-$175,000 + benefits

Role Description

The Deployment Strategist (DS) ensures the successful definition, implementation, and operations of new systems with Rivet customers. The DS guides customer and Rivet collaboration, aligning teams and deployment plans to meet mutual objectives.

The strategist is responsible for analyzing customer conditions, understanding data insights, and developing actionable plans to achieve desired outcomes. Additionally, the DS anticipates potential challenges, devising solutions to mitigate risks – or to achieve win/win competitive advantage.

As a relationship manager, the DS serves as a liaison between technical teams and customer stakeholders, facilitating clear understanding of project goals and progress. The strategist monitors deployment activities, provides regular updates, and ensures fidelity to agreed timelines and milestones. This role favors strong planning skills, acumen for technology breakthroughs with large customers, and a bias toward iterative action. At Rivet, the DS is uniquely positioned to create long-term value with customers trusting us with their most strategic projects.

In addition to deployment execution, the DS plays a key role in shaping new business opportunities. This includes partnering with commercial and technical teams to scope prospective engagements, contribute to technical and programmatic proposals, and translate customer needs into compelling, executable plans. The DS ensures continuity between what is proposed and what is ultimately delivered.

Role Objectives

• Design and execute comprehensive plans to ensure the successful integration of Rivet systems within government and commercial organizations
• Act as the customer voice, advocating for key needs with Rivet engineering teams to ensure successful deliveries and depth growth within programs
• Partner with commercial and engineering teams to translate customer needs into structured, competitive proposals aligned with Rivet’s capabilities and roadmap
• Anticipate potential deployment challenges and devise solutions to minimize risks and smooth transitions
• Track deployment activities, provide regular updates to stakeholders, and ensure that all milestones are met within the established timelines
• Develop customer-specific roadmaps, proposing opportunities for Rivet and customers to create new value together or in cooperation with third parties
• Deliver demos and presales vision materials to new and existing customers
• Qualify potential engagements in expanding locations around the world
• Own aspects of business development by scoping technical approaches, defining deployment strategies, and authoring customer proposals

Qualifications and Requirements

• 5+ years managing DoW and/or industrial enterprise deployments of complex integrated technology solutions; aerospace or defense platform experience strongly preferred
• 5+ years owning technical solution sales and/or customer-facing outcomes
• Professional experience with mobile technologies, industry-specialized services, and/or deep tech business development associated with secure fleets, operations, or facilities
• Experience contributing to or owning technical proposals, SOW development, or capture efforts for government and/or enterprise customers
• Active US Security Clearance and/or the ability to be cleared
• Ability to travel 35% - 70%. We are building sophisticated, controlled systems with hardware and software – you will be embedded with the team in office or at the customer point of need.
• This position requires U.S. citizenship due to contract obligations

*Total compensation may vary within this range and is determined by years and level of relevant experience, job-related skills, education, and other factors. In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for equity grants and other forms of compensation. Eligible employees also receive a competitive benefits package, including unlimited PTO.

EOE