Senior Staff Technical Program Manager

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 Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.


Job Description:

As Technical Program Manager you will be responsible for ensuring the quality of Hivemind Enterprise, a software development kit that enables both Shield AI and third parties to create a new generation of unmanned systems and mission applications that deliver transformative capabilities for the U.S. and its allies. You will work with sponsors, product managers, designers and a talented cross-functional engineering team to lead on-time, on-quality software releases. This Technical Program Manager role requires a versatile individual who can plan and manage complex software test automation projects and flight test operations.

What you'll do:

• Drive the planning, execution, and delivery of complex software releases for the Hivemind Enterprise platform
• Drive major initiatives building out rigorous simulation-based test automation for autonomy software
• Drive large complex test operations from CI through HIL and flight test
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product management, and customer engagement, to define test scope, objectives, and deliverables
• Develop detailed project plans, including timelines, milestones, and resource allocation, ensuring adherence to budget and schedule
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies to ensure successful project completion
• Facilitate regular communication with stakeholders, providing updates on project status, challenges, and accomplishments
• Drive continuous improvement in project management processes, tools, and methodologies
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence within the program management team
• Facilitate technical decision making to appropriately prioritize work and make complex trades
• Reinforce Shield AI's reputation for technical excellence and ability to deliver through expert engagement and disciplined execution

Required qualifications:

• B.S. in Computer Science, or a related field with 8+ years of work experience in Program Management, Engineering Management or Software Test Engineering; alternative degrees are acceptable if professional experience is focused in testing Enterprise Software, Artificial Intelligence, or Robotics
• Experience driving testing of complex software and integrated HW/SW systems.
• Experience driving release management and software test operations
• You have a track record of driving results, not just providing status
• You have solid technical foundations in test engineering and software development, with deep knowledge of how to optimize the software development lifecycle
• You have the ability to recognize efficiency and inefficiency in projects and prioritize remedies based on accurate cost-benefit analysis
• You are an exceptional, fundamentals-driven problem solver and communicator
• You have a demonstrated record of setting and achieving goals in dynamic environments, working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Power user of Jira or work management tools

Preferred qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Computer Science or MBA
• Previous experience as a software developer or a test engineer
• Previous experience driving software releases or test operations for enterprise software used by software engineers
• Passionate about software documentation
• Autonomy, AI, ML expertise
• PMP, Scrum Master, or similar qualifications

$170,000 - $260,000 a year

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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.


We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.