Senior Manager, Program Management - International Programs (R6163)

The role

Lead the execution and growth of Shield AI's international Direct Commercial Sales programs for the V-BAT aircraft, with regional responsibility for the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Serve as the main contact between international government and military customers, industrial partners, and internal teams.

What you will do

• Deliver reliable program performance for international customers
• Lead execution of multiple concurrent international DCS programs, owning cost, schedule, technical performance and customer satisfaction
• Build and maintain relationships with international government, military and industry stakeholders
• Lead international industrial partnerships, including in-country production, assembly, sustainment and technology transfer
• Manage complex international contracts, changes and milestone or payment achievement with Contracts, Legal and Finance
• Plan and run programs within U.S. export-control rules (ITAR/EAR), including TAAs, MLAs and export licenses
• Mentor and escalate support to in-country and junior program managers
• Turn customer requirements into executable plans across engineering, production, supply chain, logistics, training and sustainment
• Maintain program schedules, financial forecasts, staffing plans and risk registers
• Prepare clear program reviews for executive leadership and customer senior stakeholders

Required qualifications

• 8+ years of program management experience supporting defense or aerospace programs
• Experience managing international defense programs for foreign government or military customers (DCS, FMS or hybrid)
• Experience running advanced programs of multiple interrelated projects in a self-directed manner
• Experience managing customer-facing programs with full responsibility for cost, schedule and performance
• Experience managing complex contracts, including changes, disputes and milestone or payment-based structures
• Working knowledge of U.S. export-control regulations (ITAR/EAR)
• Experience leading cross-functional teams across engineering, production, supply chain, logistics and business functions
• Strong business and financial acumen, including complex program financials
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational and stakeholder management skills, including executive-level briefing
• Ability to work effectively across cultures and time zones
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Experience with scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet

Nice to have

• Experience with international customers or industrial partners in the Middle East, South Asia or Asia-Pacific
• Experience with international industrial partnerships, co-production, offsets or industrial participation, or in-country manufacturing stand-up
• Experience with unmanned aerial systems, aviation operations, ISR programs or defense technology programs
• Experience managing or mentoring program managers
• PMP certification or equivalent program management training
• Undergraduate degree in engineering, business or operations management

Benefits

• Bonus
• Benefits
• Equity
• Temporary employees receive a temporary benefits package after 60 days of employment

Before you apply

• Must be a U.S. Person as defined by ITAR
• All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits

About the company

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company that builds intelligent systems to protect service members and civilians. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation technologies.