About Glīd Technologies

Glīd Technologies is synchronizing road and rail to transform first-mile logistics through autonomous dual-mode vehicles, AI-powered orchestration software (EZRA-1SIX), and human-centric workforce innovation. Our platforms — GliderM, Rāden, and EZRA-1SIX — move goods cleaner, faster, and smarter while expanding opportunity in the communities we serve.

Founded by a U.S. Army and Air Force veteran and SpaceX alumnus, Glīd is built by leaders from SpaceX, Bombardier, Google, and Northrop Grumman. We're re-industrializing America with dual-use innovation that strengthens supply chains, advances decarbonization, and enhances national resilience.

Role Overview

Glīd is building its Southern California presence, and we need a Strategic Operations Manager to own government relationships, grant execution, regulatory navigation, defense engagement, and external partnerships across the region. Based in Riverside, you'll cover all of SoCal — Los Angeles County, the Inland Empire, Orange County, and San Diego County — serving as the Head of Operations' force multiplier and Glīd's external face in one of the most strategically important markets in the country.

This is a big territory with even bigger opportunity. Southern California is home to the nation's busiest ports (Long Beach and LA), major defense installations (March ARB, Naval Base San Diego, Camp Pendleton, LA Air Force Base), world-class research universities, and a dense network of freight and intermodal infrastructure. Glīd's dual-use platforms sit at the intersection of all of it.

This is not a field technician role. This is a strategic operator who can walk into a city council meeting, brief a naval logistics command, write a compelling DOT grant, untangle a permitting process, and pitch a port authority — all in the same month. You don't need to have done all of these before, but you need to have done at least one well and have the instincts and drive to grow into the rest.

If you've got a foundation in government, defense, grants, or external affairs — and you want to build something that matters — this role will stretch you in the best ways.

Key Responsibilities

Government & Public Sector Development

• Build and maintain relationships with city, county, and state officials across Southern California — becoming Glīd's trusted face in the region.
  

• Identify and pursue public sector opportunities including pilot programs, procurement pathways, and policy alignment for autonomous logistics.
  

• Represent Glīd at public meetings, hearings, and stakeholder sessions with professionalism and persuasive clarity alongside the Head of Operations.
  

• Track legislative and regulatory developments affecting autonomous vehicles, rail, and logistics in California.
  

Defense & Port Authority Engagement

• Develop relationships with defense installations including March Air Reserve Base, Naval Base San Diego, Camp Pendleton, LA Air Force Base, and other SoCal DoW facilities to identify logistics and autonomous systems opportunities.
  

• Engage with the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, as well as regional freight and intermodal stakeholders, to position Glīd's platforms for port-adjacent and first-mile applications.
  

• Support defense procurement activities including SBIR/STTR submissions, OTA opportunities, and coordination with prime contractors.
  

• Build institutional knowledge of DoW logistics requirements, naval supply chains, and dual-use technology pathways.
  

Grant Writing & Funding Development

• Lead grant identification, writing, and submission for federal, state, and regional programs (DOT, DOE, CARB, Caltrans, SCAG, regional MPOs, SBIR/STTR, etc.).
  

• Manage grant compliance, reporting, and stakeholder coordination for active awards.
  

• Partner with Finance and the executive team to align grant strategy with company milestones and funding needs.
  

• Maintain built relationships, and build new relationships with program officers and funding agencies to strengthen Glīd's positioning.
  

Permitting & Regulatory Navigation

• Own end-to-end permitting processes for SoCal deployments — encroachment permits, CEQA compliance, right-of-way agreements, and operational authorizations.
  

• Develop and maintain a permitting roadmap that anticipates requirements and prevents delays according to the Glīd standard.
  

• Coordinate with legal, engineering, and external consultants to resolve regulatory blockers.
  

• Build institutional knowledge of California's permitting landscape for autonomous and rail-adjacent operations.
  

Strategic Partnerships & External Affairs

• Support partnership development with universities (UCR, USC, UCLA, UCSD, ExCITE), community organizations, workforce programs, and economic development agencies across SoCal.
  

• Coordinate VIP visits, demonstrations, and stakeholder engagements that showcase Glīd's operations.
  

• Collaborate with the Head of Operations to translate external opportunities into operational and business value.
  

Operational Support & Coordination

• Contribute to operational planning, KPI tracking, and cross-functional initiatives as a senior member of the California team.
  

• Provide field-derived insights and external context to inform product, engineering, and go-to-market decisions.
  

• Step in as needed to support critical deployments, partner engagements, or executive priorities.
  

Qualifications

Required

• 1–3 years (minimum, ideally 5) of experience in government relations, business development, grant writing, program management, defense, or strategic operations — ideally in transportation, infrastructure, defense, or advanced mobility.
  

• Demonstrated strength in at least one of: grant writing, government/defense sales, permitting, or external affairs. Willingness to grow into the others.
  

• Track record building relationships with government officials, defense personnel, agencies, or public sector stakeholders.
  

• Excellent written and verbal communication — you can write a grant narrative and brief an executive with equal skill.
  

• Self-directed, high-agency operator who thrives with autonomy and ambiguity.
  

• Valid driver's license and ability to travel extensively within Southern California and occasionally beyond.
  

Preferred

• Experience with defense procurement, DoW contracts, or military logistics operations.
  

• Active security clearance or ability to obtain one.
  

• Relationships with port authorities, freight stakeholders, or intermodal logistics operators.
  

• Experience writing and winning grants (federal, state, or regional programs).
  

• Experience navigating California permitting, regulatory, or procurement processes.
  

• Familiarity with California agencies: Caltrans, CARB, CPUC, SCAG, SANDAG, or local transit authorities.
  

• Background in startups, high-growth companies, or environments requiring resourcefulness over process.
  

• Existing network in Southern California government, defense, logistics, or economic development circles.
  

• Military veteran or experience working closely with military personnel and organizations.
  

• Experience supporting university partnerships, workforce development, or community engagement programs.
  

• Technical fluency — comfortable in conversations about autonomous systems, robotics, rail, and logistics even if you're not an engineer.
  

Success in This Role Means

• Glīd has active, productive relationships with key government stakeholders across Southern California — and they take our calls.
  

• Defense installations and port authorities know Glīd and see us as a credible partner for logistics innovation.
  

• Grant pipeline is robust, submissions are competitive, and awards contribute meaningfully to Glīd's funding and credibility.
  

• Permitting is never the bottleneck — regulatory pathways are mapped, applications are timely, and approvals land on schedule.
  

• External partners — universities, community organizations, economic development agencies — see Glīd as a committed, professional, and valuable collaborator.
  

• The Head of Operations can focus on scaling field operations because external execution is handled.
  

• Southern California becomes Glīd's flagship region — a proof point for how we enter and win new markets.
  

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
  

• Salary range $65,000 – $85,000
  

• Equity participation
  

• Health, dental, and vision coverage
  

• Flexible PTO
  

• Ground-floor opportunity at a company re-industrializing American logistics
  

Location & Travel

Based in Riverside, CA with extensive travel throughout Southern California — Los Angeles County, Orange County, the Inland Empire, and San Diego County — for government meetings, defense engagements, port authority conversations, and stakeholder events. Occasional travel to Glīd headquarters and other operational sites.

How to Apply

Send your resume and a brief note on why you're the right person to help Glīd win in Southern California to careers@glidtech.us.

Glīd Technologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Glīd Technologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.