We are looking for an exceptional Technical Program Manager to lead the integration of Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy stack onto next-generation aircraft platforms, guiding programs from concept through production and operational deployment. 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.
You will drive alignment across hardware and software development activities, ensuring aircraft, autonomy software, and operational teams remain synchronized throughout the full product lifecycle. This role requires close coordination with distributed engineering teams across Arlington, VA and San Diego, CA.
The ideal candidate combines strong technical program management fundamentals with hands-on experience coordinating complex hardware/software integration efforts. You will drive schedule, cost, technical performance, integration readiness, and operational outcomes while helping define the future of autonomous aviation.
What you'll do:
- Serve as the program manager responsible for the successful integration of Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software onto next-generation aircraft platforms.
- Operate as an embedded partner to aircraft engineering teams ensuring software development aligns with hardware integration, manufacturing, lab availability, and flight test schedules.
- Work 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. Continuously evaluate and rebalance customer priorities, technical risks, cost constraints, and schedule demands throughout the program.
- Facilitate rigorous, fast, and effective technical and programmatic decision-making across cross-functional teams. While not expected to design systems directly, you will possess sufficient technical depth to identify risks, challenge assumptions, and drive alignment.
- Coordinate system integration activities across labs, ground test, and flight test operations. Drive readiness reviews, integration milestones, and closure of technical dependencies required to support successful aircraft integration and operational deployment.
- Identify potential bottlenecks, critical path risks, and schedule delays, and drive mitigation strategies to achieve program milestones and delivery commitments. Conduct critical path analyses and support program execution through Gate Reviews, Program Management Reviews (PMRs), and Estimates at Completion (EACs).
- Drive a consistent cadence of well-organized, effective meetings, including preparation, facilitation, action tracking, and follow-up. Ensure stakeholders remain aligned on status, milestones, priorities, risks, integration readiness, and technical challenges.
- Support the development and refinement of technical and operational documentation, engineering change orders, work instructions, service bulletins, operational procedures, and integration documentation.
- Create an environment where teams have the clarity, tools, accountability, and support needed to execute effectively. Escalate issues quickly, streamline processes, eliminate blockers, and foster a culture of ownership, urgency, and continuous improvement.
- Drive accurate and timely tracking and reporting of program financials, resources, schedules, integration status, and customer deliverables.
- Support business development activities related to current and future autonomy integration programs, including proposals, requests for information (RFIs), requests for proposals (RFPs), technical evaluations, and strategic customer engagements.
Lead Aircraft & Autonomy Integration Programs
Drive Hardware & Software Alignment
Establish Clear Objectives
Program & Project Management
Drive Timely, High-Quality Decisions
Integration & Flight Test Readiness
Communicate with Excellence
Drive Technical Execution
Empower Teams & Remove Obstacles
Deliver Outcomes
Support Growth & Strategic Initiatives
Required qualifications:
- 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.
Skills Required
- Minimum ~10 years related experience (or equivalent: 9 years + Master’s, 7 years + PhD)
- 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
- Experience with Program Management Reviews (PMRs), gate reviews, and estimates (EAC)
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills; 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
- 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
- Eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret 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
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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