Project Manager (Defense and Intelligence)

Sakana AI is seeking a Project Manager to lead delivery for our defense and intelligence programs. Government engagements operate under fundamentally different constraints than commercial projects — strict security classifications, complex procurement cycles, multi-agency stakeholder environments, and compliance requirements that touch every aspect of delivery. You will be the operational leader who navigates this complexity.

In this role, you will manage the full lifecycle of defense AI programs: from initial contract requirements analysis through secure development, testing, and deployment. You will coordinate security reviews and clearance processes, manage classified project documentation with appropriate handling procedures, ensure deliverables meet government acceptance criteria, and maintain the detailed audit trails that government contracts require.

Day to day, you will run program status reviews with government stakeholders, track milestones against contract deliverables, coordinate between Sakana AI engineering teams and government program offices, and manage the security protocols that govern how our teams access and handle sensitive information. You will also build and maintain the project management frameworks and templates specific to our defense engagements.

The ideal candidate has direct experience working with government clients in Japan or allied nations and understands the procurement, compliance, and delivery cadences unique to the defense sector. You should be detail-oriented to an extreme degree, comfortable with extensive documentation requirements, and skilled at managing relationships across military, intelligence, and civilian government stakeholders.

Requirements:

• 3+ years of project management experience with government or defense clients
• Understanding of government procurement processes, contract types, and compliance requirements
• Experience managing projects with security classification requirements and controlled information
• Strong documentation, process management, and audit trail maintenance skills
• Excellent stakeholder management across government program offices and technical teams
• Ability to obtain or currently hold relevant security clearances (Japanese government or allied)
• Experience with defense technology programs or classified AI/ML projects is a strong plus