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Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.
The Role
Lead cross-functional teams to deliver defense UAV systems and capabilities. Manage customer relationships, schedules, budgets, risks, and program execution. Drive meeting cadence, resource prioritization, and reporting while ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery and alignment with leadership principles.
Summary Generated by Built In
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 Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Seeking a Program Manager to lead the development and delivery of transformative unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems and capabilities, serving as the critical link between engineering, logistics, sustainment, operations, subcontractors, and financial execution. This role will lead cross-functional teams in the research, development, and deployment of advanced hardware and software solutions, driving disciplined execution against ambitious goals while thriving in a fast-paced, high-growth environment where innovation, accountability, and mission impact are paramount.
What you'll do:
- Deliver proven, exceptional, and reliable performance in support of customer/end-user’s mission through flawless program management.
- Effectively collaborate, motivate, and lead relevant stakeholders to successfully deliver early, under budget, and with exceptional technical performance.
- Manage customer relationships and act as the key point of contact for the program
- Astutely balance and rebalance shifting customer priories related to cost, schedule, and technical parameters of programs.
- Provide hands-on management of all aspects of the program
- Drive the accurate and timely tracking and reporting of budget, resource, and project management standard metrics
- Complete critical path analyses including the evaluation of potential means to accelerate the pace or mitigate identified risks
- Identify potential bottlenecks or delays in programs and drive efforts to ensure projects stay on schedule
- Partner with leadership to guide prioritization of projects and utilization of resources
- Establish and lead a consistent cadence of well-organized, well-facilitated, and effective meetings, including driving all preparation and follow up activities
- Support an environment where accountability and program execution excellence are core
Required qualifications:
- 5+ years of program management experience for Department of Defense programs
- Ability to run advanced projects/programs consisting of multiple interrelated projects, in a manner that is largely self-directed
- Proven ability to focus on long-term business objectives
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed
- Experience with scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet
- Excellent skills in leadership, time management, organization, team management
- Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal and written ability
- Expert understanding of complex project financials
- Demonstrated alignment with Shield AI's values and leadership principles, including accountability, trust, collaboration, and servant leadership
- Ability to obtain a Secret Security Clearance
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience delivering unmanned aerial systems, ISR programs, or defense technology programs Experience managing integrated software and hardware research and development programs
- Active Secret Security Clearance
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent program management training
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline
#LI-AD6
#LE
Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
Skills Required
- 5+ years of program management experience for Department of Defense programs
- Ability to run advanced projects/programs consisting of multiple interrelated projects, largely self-directed
- Proven ability to focus on long-term business objectives
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed
- Experience with scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet
- Excellent leadership, time management, organization, and team management skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal and written communication ability
- Expert understanding of complex project financials
- Demonstrated alignment with company values and leadership principles (accountability, trust, collaboration, servant leadership)
- Ability to obtain a Secret Security Clearance
- Experience delivering unmanned aerial systems, ISR programs, or defense technology programs
- Experience managing integrated software and hardware R&D programs
- Active Secret Security Clearance
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent program management training
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline
What the Team is Saying
Dylan
Lead Engineer, Planning and Controls-Motion
Mo
Lead Engineer, Platform Automation
Willy
Technical Director
Michael
Engineering Manager - State Estimation
Vibhav
Senior Staff Engineer
Kirby
Mechanical Engineer
Ryan
CEO
Evan
Senior Machine Learning Engineer
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.
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The Company
What We Do
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-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.
Typical time on-site:
3 days a week
