{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"59afb6d0aa1deb2d8688c7c6","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/59afb6d0aa1deb2d8688c7c6","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/59afb6d0aa1deb2d8688c7c6","title":"Technical Program Manager","description":"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 www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.\n\nWe are looking for an exceptional Sr Staff 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.\nYou 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 multiple offices globally.\n\nThe ideal candidate combines strong technical program management fundamentals with hands-on experience coordinating complex hardware/software integration efforts and customer facing program management. You will drive schedule, cost, technical performance, integration readiness, and operational outcomes while helping define the future of autonomous aviation.\nWhat you'll do:\nLead Hivemind Enterprise Delivery\n Serve as the program manager responsible for the successful delivery of Hivemind Enterprise software to Armed Services and OEM customers.\nServe as the program manager responsible for the successful integration of Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software onto next-generation aircraft platforms.\nDrive Hardware & Software Alignment\nOperate as an embedded partner to aircraft engineering teams ensuring software development aligns with hardware integration, manufacturing, lab availability, and flight test schedules.\nEstablish Clear Objectives\nWork 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.\nProgram & Project Management\nOwn 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.\nDrive Timely, High-Quality Decisions\nFacilitate 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.\nIntegration & Flight Test Readiness\nCoordinate 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.\nIdentify 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).\nCommunicate with Excellence\nDrive a consistent cadence of well-organized, effective meetings, including preparation, facilitation, action tracking, and follow-up.\nEnsure stakeholders (external and internal) remain aligned on status, milestones, priorities, risks, integration readiness, and technical challenges.\nDrive Technical Execution\nSupport the development and refinement of technical and operational documentation, engineering change orders, work instructions, service bulletins, operational procedures, and integration documentation.\nEmpower Teams & Remove Obstacles\nCreate 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.\nDeliver Outcomes\nDrive accurate and timely tracking and reporting of program financials, resources, schedules, integration status, and customer deliverables.\nSupport Growth & Strategic Initiatives\nSupport 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.\nRequired qualifications:\nTypically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 9 years and a Master’s degree\nExperience leading complex cross-functional engineering programs from concept through production and operational deployment.\nExperience in military aviation\nStrong technical understanding of software-enabled systems, autonomy, aerospace systems, or complex integrated products.\nDemonstrated success managing program execution across scope, schedule, budget, risk, and technical performance in fast-paced environments.\nExperience with Program Management Reviews (PMRs), gate reviews, and estimates.\nExceptional customer communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to lead through influence across distributed teams.\nStrong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills in fast-paced environments.\nDemonstrated ownership, accountability, and ability to drive execution with high standards and collaboration.\nAbility to travel up to 30%.\nPreferred qualifications:\nExperience integrating autonomy or software systems onto defense platforms.\nExperience in software development, autonomy development, or systems engineering.\nExperience managing clean-sheet defense or technology development programs.\nPMP and/or Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification.\nFamiliarity with MoD contracting, defense acquisition, or national security programs.\nExperience balancing aggressive timelines with complex engineering constraints.\nTotal package details for U.S. based positions:\n- Regular employee positions: Salary within range listed above + Bonus + Benefits + Equity\n- Temporary employee positions: Hourly within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days\nof employment)\n- Interns/Military Fellows/Part-time not eligible for bonus, benefits or equity\n\nTotal package details for International positions which are roles based outside of the United States (where applicable):\n- International premium, hardship differential, cost of living differential, living quarters allowance, foreign service transfer\nallowance, equity, international benefits, visa assistance, and relocation assistance.\n\nSalary 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.\n\nShield 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.\nWe 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.","company":"Shield AI","rawCompany":"shield ai","city":"Jerseyville","state":"IL","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-09-16T10:12:29.953Z","occupations":[{"code":"13-1082.00","title":"Project Management Specialists","slug":"project-management-specialists"},{"code":"15-1299.09","title":"Information Technology Project Managers","slug":"information-technology-project-managers"},{"code":"11-9041.00","title":"Architectural and Engineering Managers","slug":"architectural-and-engineering-managers"}],"industries":[{"code":"336411","title":"Aircraft Manufacturing","slug":"aircraft-manufacturing"},{"code":"336413","title":"Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing","slug":"other-aircraft-parts-and-auxiliary-equipment-manufacturing"},{"code":"488190","title":"Other Support Activities for Air Transportation","slug":"other-support-activities-for-air-transportation"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Technical Program Manager","description":"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 www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.\n\nWe are looking for an exceptional Sr Staff 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.\nYou 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 multiple offices globally.\n\nThe ideal candidate combines strong technical program management fundamentals with hands-on experience coordinating complex hardware/software integration efforts and customer facing program management. You will drive schedule, cost, technical performance, integration readiness, and operational outcomes while helping define the future of autonomous aviation.\nWhat you'll do:\nLead Hivemind Enterprise Delivery\n Serve as the program manager responsible for the successful delivery of Hivemind Enterprise software to Armed Services and OEM customers.\nServe as the program manager responsible for the successful integration of Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software onto next-generation aircraft platforms.\nDrive Hardware & Software Alignment\nOperate as an embedded partner to aircraft engineering teams ensuring software development aligns with hardware integration, manufacturing, lab availability, and flight test schedules.\nEstablish Clear Objectives\nWork 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.\nProgram & Project Management\nOwn 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.\nDrive Timely, High-Quality Decisions\nFacilitate 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.\nIntegration & Flight Test Readiness\nCoordinate 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.\nIdentify 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).\nCommunicate with Excellence\nDrive a consistent cadence of well-organized, effective meetings, including preparation, facilitation, action tracking, and follow-up.\nEnsure stakeholders (external and internal) remain aligned on status, milestones, priorities, risks, integration readiness, and technical challenges.\nDrive Technical Execution\nSupport the development and refinement of technical and operational documentation, engineering change orders, work instructions, service bulletins, operational procedures, and integration documentation.\nEmpower Teams & Remove Obstacles\nCreate 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.\nDeliver Outcomes\nDrive accurate and timely tracking and reporting of program financials, resources, schedules, integration status, and customer deliverables.\nSupport Growth & Strategic Initiatives\nSupport 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.\nRequired qualifications:\nTypically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 9 years and a Master’s degree\nExperience leading complex cross-functional engineering programs from concept through production and operational deployment.\nExperience in military aviation\nStrong technical understanding of software-enabled systems, autonomy, aerospace systems, or complex integrated products.\nDemonstrated success managing program execution across scope, schedule, budget, risk, and technical performance in fast-paced environments.\nExperience with Program Management Reviews (PMRs), gate reviews, and estimates.\nExceptional customer communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to lead through influence across distributed teams.\nStrong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills in fast-paced environments.\nDemonstrated ownership, accountability, and ability to drive execution with high standards and collaboration.\nAbility to travel up to 30%.\nPreferred qualifications:\nExperience integrating autonomy or software systems onto defense platforms.\nExperience in software development, autonomy development, or systems engineering.\nExperience managing clean-sheet defense or technology development programs.\nPMP and/or Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification.\nFamiliarity with MoD contracting, defense acquisition, or national security programs.\nExperience balancing aggressive timelines with complex engineering constraints.\nTotal package details for U.S. based positions:\n- Regular employee positions: Salary within range listed above + Bonus + Benefits + Equity\n- Temporary employee positions: Hourly within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days\nof employment)\n- Interns/Military Fellows/Part-time not eligible for bonus, benefits or equity\n\nTotal package details for International positions which are roles based outside of the United States (where applicable):\n- International premium, hardship differential, cost of living differential, living quarters allowance, foreign service transfer\nallowance, equity, international benefits, visa assistance, and relocation assistance.\n\nSalary 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.\n\nShield 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.\nWe 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.","datePosted":"2026-09-16T10:12:29.953Z","dateModified":"2026-09-16T10:12:29.953Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Shield AI","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Jerseyville","addressRegion":"IL","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"59afb6d0aa1deb2d8688c7c6"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/59afb6d0aa1deb2d8688c7c6"}}