Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Industrial Flight and Magic (IFM)

Industrial Flight and Magic is seeking an entrepreneurial CEO to lead commercialization of a breakthrough autonomy and fleet-coordination platform designed to solve one of the largest unsolved constraints in drone delivery and high-density autonomous systems: throughput at scale.

Most current systems focus on sensing, routing, and local autonomy. IFM’s approach addresses the system-level coordination layer, enabling materially higher throughput, better utilization, and more scalable operations through deterministic 4D trajectory management and precision execution.

We are now seeking a CEO to lead the company from advanced prototype/IP stage through demonstration, strategic partnerships, and targeted exit opportunities.

The Opportunity

This is a rare chance to lead a company with:

• Proprietary architecture and patent portfolio in autonomous fleet coordination

• Years of founder-led R&D and simulation work

• Clear commercial relevance to drone delivery, logistics, defense autonomy, and other multi-agent systems

• Potential to become enabling infrastructure rather than just another vehicle company

• Multiple strategic acquirer pathways

What You Will Do Strategic Leadership

• Define the go-to-market strategy and first commercial wedge

• Position IFM for investors, strategic partners, and acquirers

• Translate deep technical advantage into compelling business narrative

Capital Formation

• Lead fundraising efforts (angel, seed, strategic)

• Build investor pipeline and manage diligence processes

• Structure capital-efficient milestones

Business Development

• Open doors with target partners in autonomy, logistics, aerospace, and defense

• Build relationships with potential acquirers and ecosystem players

• Evaluate licensing, JV, and acquisition pathways

Company Building

• Recruit key early hires and advisors

• Establish operating cadence, governance, and execution discipline

• Partner closely with founder/CTO on productization roadmap

Demonstration Path

• Lead execution of a focused 12–18 month demonstration plan proving commercial value

Required Experience

• Prior CEO / GM / senior operator experience in startup or growth-stage technology company

• Experience raising capital and managing investor relationships

• Strong commercial instincts with technical products

• Ability to operate in ambiguity and move quickly

• Experience leading cross-functional teams

• Strong communicator with credibility in boardroom and engineering room

Highly Preferred

• Aerospace, autonomy, robotics, logistics, mobility, defense tech, or industrial systems background

• Prior successful exit (acquisition or IPO)

• Experience commercializing deep-tech / hard-tech platforms

• Relationships in drone delivery, aviation, robotics, or venture capital

• Experience with regulated industries

• Understanding of control systems, autonomy, or operations research

Founder Fit (Critical)

The right candidate must thrive partnering with a deeply technical founder and inventor. This role requires someone who respects engineering depth while driving commercial execution with urgency.

Compensation

• Meaningful founder-level equity

• Performance-based cash structure as financing milestones are achieved

• Ability to shape company direction and ownership structure

Why Now

The autonomy market is moving from “can it fly?” to “can it scale economically?”

That transition creates a window for system-level coordination technologies that materially improve throughput and utilization.

IFM is positioned directly in that gap.

To Apply / Explore

Please share a short note outlining:

1. Relevant leadership experience

2. Capital raised / exits / major partnerships led

3. Why this opportunity interests you now