Senior Staff Technical Program Manager - Mission Autonomy

The role

This role leads the integration of Shield AI's Hivemind autonomy software onto Unmanned Surface Vehicles and, later, Unmanned Undersea Vehicles. The person will manage programs from the start through production and operational use, coordinating with engineering, operations, business development and international teams.

What you will do

• Serve as program manager for assigned weapons programs, leading integration of Hivemind software onto OWAs, ISR and LCCM platforms
• Work with product, engineering, operations and executive leaders to set program objectives tied to mission impact, customer success and financial outcomes
• Own integrated program and project plans, including scope, schedules, milestones, dependencies, budgets and resources
• Lead decision-making across cross-functional teams and challenge assumptions to drive alignment
• Coordinate system integration across labs, ground testing, surrogate testing and flight tests
• Drive readiness reviews, integration milestones and closure of technical dependencies
• Identify bottlenecks and critical-path risks and drive mitigation
• Conduct critical-path analyses and support Gate Reviews, Program Management Reviews and Estimates at Completion
• Run organized meetings and keep stakeholders aligned on status, risks and priorities
• Support business development activities including proposals, RFIs, RFPs and customer engagements

Required qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 9 years with a Master's degree, or 7 years with a PhD, or equivalent work experience
• Experience leading complex cross-functional engineering programs from concept through production and operational deployment
• Strong technical understanding of software-enabled systems, autonomy, aerospace systems or complex integrated products
• Demonstrated success managing scope, schedule, budget, risk and technical performance in fast-paced environments
• Experience with Program Management Reviews, gate reviews and estimates
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, leading through influence across distributed teams
• Strong analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ownership, accountability and collaboration
• Willingness to travel internationally

Nice to have

• Experience integrating autonomy or software systems onto defense platforms
• Experience in software development, autonomy development or systems engineering
• Experience managing clean-sheet defense or technology development programs
• PMP and/or Certified Scrum Master certification
• Familiarity with DoD contracting, defense acquisition or national security programs
• Experience balancing aggressive timelines with complex engineering constraints
• Eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret clearance or higher
• Familiarity with Weapons PAE and USG Acquisition organizations
• Familiarity with Mavlink and/or WOSA standards

Benefits

• Bonus
• Benefits
• Equity (full-time regular employees)
• Temporary benefits package applicable after 60 days of employment (temporary employees)

Before you apply

• Offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check
• A Top Secret clearance is listed as preferred, with eligibility to obtain and maintain one
• 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.