Account Manager - Australia at Arkeus – Port Melbourne, Victoria

About Arkeus

Arkeus is a world leader in the provision of wide-area autonomous optical search systems in the Search, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance space for Defence, Civil Defence and Environmental Sustainment applications. We specialise in the design, fabrication, manufacture and distribution of these innovative systems.

Backed by the billion-dollar deep-tech and industry expert investors Main Sequence, Beaten Zone Venture Partners, and Salus Ventures we are scaling the deployment of our next-generation hardware-enabled software platform to help our customers improve security and save lives.

We are a small yet fast-growing company with energy, passion and ambition. Our inclusive, transparent and merit-based culture focuses on building a diverse and capable workforce - one that attracts skilled individuals who share our purpose and values.

About the role:

You will own end-to-end delivery of Australia customer programs, ensuring our autonomous optical search systems are delivered on time, on budget, and exceed mission requirements for Australian defense, government, and allied customers.

Reporting to the Director of Customer Success – US, you will drive cross-functional execution with a relentless focus on customer outcomes, compelling customer experiences, and long-term partnership success.

About you:

• High-agency leader who thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and takes full ownership of outcomes.
• Passionate about defense tech and delivering systems that directly protect lives and national security.
• Exceptional at aligning engineering, operations, manufacturing, and customer stakeholders.
• Technically fluent in sensors, autonomy, edge AI, and system integration.
• Proven ability to deliver complex hardware-software programs under tight timelines and resource constraints.
• Deeply customer-obsessed, with a passion for driving exceptional customer success and satisfaction.

Key responsibilities:

• Own full program lifecycle for Australia customers – scope, schedule, budget, risk, technical performance, customer experience, and customer acceptance.
• Serve as the primary customer interface and trusted advisor throughout the program, building strong, long-term relationships.
• Lead integrated cross-functional teams to deliver outstanding results while ensuring a seamless and compelling customer journey.
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, critical path schedules, budgets, and risk registers.
• Drive customer success metrics, actively manage expectations, deepen relationships, and ensure mission requirements are met or exceeded.
• Track program health, facilitate reviews, and proactively escalate/resolve blockers.
• Feed customer insights back to engineering and product teams to shape future roadmaps and enhance the overall customer experience.

Your experience and skills:

• 5+ years of account management or program management experience in aerospace, ISR systems, or complex hardware-software integration is a must.
• Track record of successfully delivering DoD, government, or equivalent acquisition programs on cost and schedule while delivering exceptional customer outcomes.
• Deep familiarity with project management tools (MS Project, Jira, etc.) and earned value or similar tracking methods.
• Technical fluency in sensors, autonomy, edge AI, optical systems, or unmanned platforms.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills – you can translate between technical teams and senior/executive audiences.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain an Australian Defence security clearance.

What we offer:

• We make incredible things – you will be working in a company at the forefront of innovation in Australia.
• You will collaborate with experienced leaders, with backgrounds in aerospace, defence and academic research and development – and just as much passion and energy as you have.
• You will become a part of a close-knit, inclusive, and connected team, immersed in a dynamic startup culture. We focus on recruiting the best – this is the opportunity to surround yourself with other like-minded professionals who enjoy working in an environment where we are inspired by the passion and capability of the very people we work with.
• You will benefit from workplace flexibility and work-life balance.
• You’ll get the opportunity to mentor bright emerging talent through our highly sought-after intern program and strong connections with universities.
• You have an opportunity to get in on the ground floor with our Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP)
• We will give you the chance to make a real difference.

If this sounds like you, please apply even if you don't check every box listed above, and join our growing team in improving security and saving lives!