You will work alongside the propulsion engineering team and applicable suppliers to ensure technical work progresses in alignment with vehicle-level milestones, schedules, and program objectives. This role requires someone who can understand technical challenges, manage cross-functional coordination, and push programs forward with measurable results. The ideal candidate has an engineering background but thrives in bringing teams together, removing obstacles, and staying hands-on when necessary to ensure success.
What you'll do:
- Partner with propulsion engineers and Responsible Engineers (REs) to plan and execute propulsion development activities across engine hardware, subsystems, and testing.
- Drive propulsion program schedules and ensure alignment with vehicle-level milestones and flight readiness objectives.
- Coordinate work across propulsion, design, fluids, controls, airframe, manufacturing, supply chain, and flight test teams.
- Track technical progress, identify risks, and drive mitigation plans to maintain schedule and performance targets.
- Manage propulsion-related suppliers and external partners, including schedule tracking, technical coordination, and delivery performance.
- Translate complex technical work into clear program status, risks, and actions for leadership and stakeholders.
- Facilitate technical reviews, program checkpoints, and cross-team integration discussions.
- Support propulsion test campaigns and development programs by coordinating resources, schedules, and deliverables.
- Drive accountability and measurable outcomes while maintaining strong collaboration with engineering teams.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field.
- 7+ years of experience in technical program management or engineering leadership in aerospace or complex hardware development environments.
- Experience coordinating cross-functional engineering teams to deliver complex technical systems.
- Strong understanding of engineering development cycles, hardware testing, and system integration.
- Demonstrated ability to manage schedules, technical risks, and program execution in fast-paced environments.
- Experience working with suppliers and managing external development partners.
- Strong communication skills and ability to translate technical work into program-level execution plans.
- U.S. Citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements.
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred qualifications:
- Prior experience working directly with propulsion systems, fluid systems, or aerospace hardware development programs.
- Background supporting test-driven development programs, including hardware build, integration, and flight testing.
- Experience with UAV, tactical aircraft, or propulsion system development programs.
- Familiarity with program management tools such as JIRA, Smartsheet, or similar planning tools.
- Demonstrated ability to operate in high-ownership, hardware-centric engineering environments.
- Advanced degree in engineering (M.S.) is a plus.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, or related field.
- 7+ years experience in technical program management or engineering leadership in aerospace or complex hardware development environments.
- Experience coordinating cross-functional engineering teams to deliver complex technical systems.
- Strong understanding of engineering development cycles, hardware testing, and system integration.
- Demonstrated ability to manage schedules, technical risks, and program execution in fast-paced environments.
- Experience working with suppliers and managing external development partners.
- Strong communication skills and ability to translate technical work into program-level execution plans.
- U.S. Citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements.
- Ability to obtain S//SAR level security clearance.
- Prior experience with propulsion systems, fluid systems, or aerospace hardware development programs.
- Background supporting test-driven development programs, including hardware build, integration, and flight testing.
- Experience with UAV, tactical aircraft, or propulsion system development programs.
- Familiarity with program management tools such as JIRA or Smartsheet.
- Advanced degree in engineering (M.S.).
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
At Shield AI, you won't wait years to see your work reach the field. You'll build hardware and software that operates in the real world right now, in the hands of the people who depend on it. Hivemind, our AI pilot, has been flying since 2018. It has flown more than 30 platforms, including an F-16, and it now sits under a U.S. Air Force production contract for Collaborative Combat Aircraft. When you write code or shape a system here, you contribute to technology with a proven flight record and a clear production future. V-BAT flies intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions with an operational record that stretches from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific. It delivers eyes where they matter most, in the most demanding conditions on earth. The teams behind it watch their work get tested where the stakes are real. X-BAT takes its first flight this year. It's an AI-piloted fighter that needs no runway, built to operate where traditional aircraft can't. Join now and you help shape a program at its earliest, most formative stage. That's the kind of ground-floor work that defines a career. Do the most impactful work of your life, on problems that matter. Autonomy at this level asks a lot of you. You'll take on problems in perception, planning, and control that few teams anywhere are equipped to solve. You'll work across disciplines, from aerospace and robotics to machine learning and systems engineering, alongside people who hold themselves to an exacting standard and expect the same from you. Our mission is clear: protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. That purpose runs through every decision, every design review, and every deployment. It's why the work here carries a weight you can feel. Ready to join our mission? Explore our open roles and find where you fit.
Why Work With Us
Founded in 2015 by a former Navy SEAL, Shield AI builds AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft. Veterans aren't an afterthought here, they're at every level. It's why the work carries weight: AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft flying real missions, from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific, protecting service members and civilians.
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Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
