Technical Program Manager, Mission Autonomy - X-BAT (R6152)

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, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. 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 Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description:

We are looking for an exceptional Technical Program Manager to lead the integration of Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy stack onto X-BAT. 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:

• Lead Aircraft & Autonomy Integration Programs
• Serve as the program manager responsible for the successful integration of Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software onto X-BAT.
• Drive Hardware & Software Alignment
• Operate 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
• 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.
• Program & Project Management
• 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.
• Drive Timely, High-Quality Decisions
• 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.
• Integration & Flight Test Readiness
• 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).
• Communicate with Excellence
• 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.
• Drive Technical Execution
• Support the development and refinement of technical and operational documentation, engineering change orders, work instructions, service bulletins, operational procedures, and integration documentation.
• Empower Teams & Remove Obstacles
• 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.
• Deliver Outcomes
• Drive accurate and timely tracking and reporting of program financials, resources, schedules, integration status, and customer deliverables.
• Support Growth & Strategic Initiatives
• 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

220000 - 330000 USD a year