Technical Program Manager, Mission Autonomy (R5052)

About the role

Shield AI is seeking an exceptional Technical Program Manager to lead the integration of its Hivemind autonomy stack onto next-generation aircraft platforms. This role is embedded within the Aircraft division and serves as a critical coordination point between the aircraft engineering and autonomy software teams to deliver mission-ready autonomous systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead Aircraft & Autonomy Integration Programs, serving as the program manager responsible for the successful integration of Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software onto next-generation aircraft platforms.
• Drive Hardware & Software Alignment, operating as an embedded partner to aircraft engineering teams ensuring software development aligns with hardware integration, manufacturing, lab availability, and flight test schedules.
• Establish Clear Objectives, working closely with product managers, engineering leads, operations, and executive leadership to define clear program objectives tied to mission impact, customer success, strategic growth, financial outcomes, and technical performance.
• Own development and execution of integrated project plans, including scope, schedules, milestones, dependencies, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Drive Timely, High-Quality Decisions, facilitating rigorous, fast, and effective technical and programmatic decision-making across cross-functional teams.
• Coordinate system integration activities, drive readiness reviews, integration milestones, and closure of technical dependencies required to support successful aircraft integration and operational deployment.
• Communicate with Excellence, driving a consistent cadence of well-organized, effective meetings, including preparation, facilitation, action tracking, and follow-up.
• Empower Teams & Remove Obstacles, creating an environment where teams have the clarity, tools, accountability, and support needed to execute effectively.
• Deliver Outcomes, driving accurate and timely tracking and reporting of program financials, resources, schedules, integration status, and customer deliverables.
• Support Growth & Strategic Initiatives, supporting business development activities related to current and future autonomy integration programs.

Requirements

• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 9 years and 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 program execution across scope, schedule, budget, risk, and technical performance in fast-paced environments.
• Experience with Program Management Reviews (PMRs), gate reviews, and estimates.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to lead through influence across distributed teams.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills in fast-paced environments.
• Demonstrated ownership, accountability, and ability to drive execution with high standards and collaboration.

Preferred qualifications

• 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 (CSM) 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. Secret clearance.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $170,000 - $260,000 per year, with bonus, benefits, and equity included in the offer package for full-time regular employees.

Schedule

This is a full-time position.

Benefits

Benefits include bonus, benefits, and equity for full-time regular employees, with a temporary benefits package available for temporary employees after 60 days of employment.