Shield AI is seeking a Senior Manager of Program Finance to lead financial execution, forecasting, and business partnership across key programs. This role will serve as a strategic finance partner to Program Management, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business Development, and Executive Leadership.
The ideal candidate has deep experience in defense program finance, thrives in a fast-paced and ambiguous environment, and can balance financial rigor with the speed required in a high-growth company. This individual will be responsible for improving visibility into program performance, strengthening forecasting discipline, driving EAC and risk/opportunity processes, and helping program teams make better business decisions.
This is a hands-on leadership role. The Senior Manager will be expected to both lead and execute: building processes where they do not exist, improving existing reporting and financial cadences, and developing a team capable of supporting Shield AI’s continued growth.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or a related field
- 8+ years of relevant experience in program finance, finance leadership, FP&A, pricing, or related aerospace/defense finance roles
- Experience supporting defense, aerospace, government contracting, or complex engineering/manufacturing programs
- Strong understanding of program financial management, including EACs, forecasting, variance analysis, risk/opportunity tracking, and program performance reporting
- Experience partnering directly with Program Managers and cross-functional teams to drive financial outcomes
- Strong understanding of contract types, especially fixed-price programs, and how contract structure impacts financial strategy, risk, and execution
- Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills
- Ability to translate operational, technical, and program inputs into clear financial insights and recommendations
- Experience presenting financial performance, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership
- Proven ability to operate independently, prioritize effectively, and drive results in ambiguous or fast-changing environments
- Experience leading, mentoring, or developing finance team members
Preferred qualifications:
- MBA, CPA, or advanced degree in a related field
- 10+ years of experience in defense, aerospace, or government contracting finance
- Prior experience managing a program finance team or leading finance support across a portfolio of programs
- Experience with pricing, proposals, BOEs, and new business capture support
- Experience with manufacturing, supply chain, production finance, or hardware-based programs
- Experience building or improving finance processes in a high-growth or less mature environment
- Familiarity with ERP, planning, and reporting tools such as Costpoint, SAP, Oracle, Power BI, or similar systems
- Experience supporting fixed-price production programs with material, labor, margin, and cash flow complexity
- Familiarity with government contracting requirements, including FAR/DFARS, earned value concepts, and cost accounting principles
- Active or prior security clearance
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or related field
- 8+ years of relevant experience in program finance, finance leadership, FP&A, pricing, or related aerospace/defense finance roles
- Experience supporting defense, aerospace, government contracting, or complex engineering/manufacturing programs
- Strong understanding of program financial management, including EACs, forecasting, variance analysis, risk/opportunity tracking, and program performance reporting
- Experience partnering directly with Program Managers and cross-functional teams to drive financial outcomes
- Strong understanding of contract types, especially fixed-price programs, and how contract structure impacts financial strategy, risk, and execution
- Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills
- Ability to translate operational, technical, and program inputs into clear financial insights and recommendations
- Experience presenting financial performance, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership
- Proven ability to operate independently, prioritize effectively, and drive results in ambiguous or fast-changing environments
- Experience leading, mentoring, or developing finance team members
- MBA, CPA, or advanced degree in a related field
- 10+ years of experience in defense, aerospace, or government contracting finance
- Prior experience managing a program finance team or leading finance support across a portfolio of programs
- Experience with pricing, proposals, BOEs, and new business capture support
- Experience with manufacturing, supply chain, production finance, or hardware-based programs
- Experience building or improving finance processes in a high-growth or less mature environment
- Familiarity with ERP, planning, and reporting tools such as Costpoint, SAP, Oracle, Power BI, or similar systems
- Experience supporting fixed-price production programs with material, labor, margin, and cash flow complexity
- Familiarity with government contracting requirements, including FAR/DFARS, earned value concepts, and cost accounting principles
- Active or prior security clearance
What the Team is Saying
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage alongside a mental‑health EAP. Site perks such as an onsite gym in DC and a gym discount in San Diego support a health‑focused offering.
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Retirement Support — Careers materials highlight a 401(k) with company match as part of the standard package. A Total Rewards overview emphasizes retirement features within a broader, transparent compensation view.
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Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Compensation for in‑demand technical and senior go‑to‑market roles is described as competitive, with visible engineering ranges and top‑end packages. This points to meaningful upside tied to role, level, and scarce skills.
Shield AI Insights
What We Do
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.
Why Work With Us
What makes Shield AI special is our people. We unlock the power of autonomy, and in the face of overwhelming odds and challenges, we find ways to win and make a difference for our customers. We bring together software, AI, and aerospace engineering disciplines to deploy the most intelligent aviation capabilities in the world.
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Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
