Senior Engineering Manager

NODA AI raises $25M Series A for defense AI. Key Points * NODA AI raised $25 million in a Series A led by Bessemer Venture Partners to expand defense autonomy orchestration. * The round includes Booz Allen Ventures, Draper Associates, Bloomberg Beta, and Alumni Ventures. * The company focuses on coordinating mixed fleets of autonomous systems across multiple defense domains. February 26, 2026 Credits: Noda NODA AI has raised $25 million in Series A funding, led by Bessemer Venture Partners. The round also includes Booz Allen Ventures, Draper Associates, Bloomberg Beta, and Alumni Ventures. The company develops AI software designed to coordinate autonomous military systems across multiple operational domains. The Austin-based defense technology company plans to use the capital to accelerate delivery milestones for Department of War and United Kingdom Ministry of Defense programs. It focuses on building orchestration software that connects mixed fleets of unmanned and manned platforms. The company did not disclose valuation details. Building the Cognitive Layer for Modern Warfare NODA AI operates in the growing field of defense autonomy, where militaries are increasingly deploying unmanned systems across air, land, sea, space, and subsurface domains. While many contractors focus on building autonomous vehicles, NODA is targeting a different layer: orchestration. "Mass autonomy in defense demands a new generation of algorithmic warfare - a new market category and technical approach that we are pioneering at NODA AI. The essence of defeating adversaries is making better, faster decisions, and the next frontier will be the ability to harmonize decision making across an ecosystem of independent autonomous systems with diverse capabilities. While much of the defense industrial base is focused on building the best vehicles, we are ruthlessly focused on creating the brains, the best chess player - a system capable of adaptive reasoning, real-time tactics and strategy handling, and the ability to transform a set of independent capabilities into desired effects." Philong Duong, Chief Executive Officer. Rather than building hardware, the company is positioning itself as the reasoning engine that coordinates fleets of autonomous systems from different manufacturers. That distinction defines its market thesis. Where the Capital Will Go The new funding will support expansion across more than 30 existing platform integrations and deepen partnerships with government customers. NODA AI says it is already embedded in key Department of War programs and working with UK defense authorities. The company also plans to extend its orchestration capabilities into additional defense and intelligence markets. That includes further development of its AI reasoning engine and expanding tactical libraries designed for mixed fleets operating across multiple domains. "NODA AI is building the AI-native connective tissue for defense autonomy, enabling collaboration and interoperability between systems, and we're proud to partner with their team as they define the future of algorithmic warfare." Janelle Teng Wade, Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners. From Veterans to Defense Infrastructure Builder Founded in 2024 by Global War on Terrorism veterans, NODA AI was created to address what its founders describe as a fragmented and vendor-siloed control environment for unmanned systems. Current architectures, they argue, create operational bottlenecks and increase cognitive burden on military operators. NODA AI is building what it describes as an open, vendor-agnostic reasoning platform capable of designing and deploying algorithmic warfare strategies across both manned and unmanned systems. The platform functions as an independent cognitive layer, integrating OEM technologies into a broader orchestration framework. "We're impressed by their technical depth, speed of execution, and mission-driven focus to deliver real operational advantage." Dr. Ray O. Johnson, Operating Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners. According to the company, it has developed one of the largest technically integrated partner ecosystems in defense autonomy within nine months of its pre-seed round. It has also secured multiple awards in major defense programs and established partnerships with defense primes including Booz Allen Hamilton and Huntington Ingalls Industries. Government Endorsements and Investor Backing The company reports strong interest from defense officials. In one program, it was selected over established incumbents to lead orchestration efforts. "NODA AI has been the fastest growing company in our portfolio and is onto something big," Paige Craig, Managing Partner of Outlander. Investors are signaling strong conviction in NODA AI's technical direction and market positioning. The participation of established venture firms with experience in enterprise software, defense, and deep technology suggests confidence not only in the company's current government traction, but also in the broader thesis that orchestration will become a defining layer in autonomous warfare. Backing at this stage reflects belief in both the founding team's execution speed and the scalability of a vendor-agnostic AI platform designed to sit above increasingly complex defense ecosystems.

/PRNewswire/ -- NODA AI Inc., developer of the novel algorithmic weapons and tactics orchestration platform for all-domain, cross-vendor systems, today...

NODA AI, a pioneering venture-backed defense company, proudly announces that it has raised $3,000,000 in its latest funding round. This significant investment not only validates the cutting-edge vision of NODA AI but also fuels its mission to revolutionize the way autonomous systems are integrated into modern defense strategies. At the core of NODA AI’s philosophy is the understanding that the deployment of novel autonomous weapon systems demands a complete re-imagination of traditional command and control processes—from strike cells and operation centers to joint staffs. The newly acquired funds will be strategically deployed to accelerate research and development efforts, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of innovations that enhance collaborative effects between human operators and autonomous systems. This bold step forward will enable NODA AI to further refine its technology, scale its operations, and harness the collective power of diverse skill sets essential for tackling the complex challenges of national security today. As the defense landscape continues to evolve, NODA AI remains steadfast in its commitment to developing resilient, state-of-the-art solutions that translate into real-world tactical advantages on the battlefield. The funding will also extend efforts in talent acquisition and partnership development, inviting experts from all backgrounds to join a team dedicated to solving seemingly impossible problems against all odds. For those who share this passion for innovation and defense excellence, further opportunities to make an impact are available through the company’s careers page at https://www.NodaIntelligecene.ai/careers or by contacting [email protected]. This new chapter marks an exciting evolution for NODA AI, as it continues to lead and shape the future of defense technology.