Lead execution and operational maturity for global company-owned UAS deployments supporting ISR missions. Act as primary customer contact, manage budgets, schedules, risks, subcontractors, and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver on-time, under-budget, and operationally effective capabilities while building scalable processes.
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 www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Seeking a Program Manager to lead execution and operational maturity for global Company-Owned, Company-Operated (COCO) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) deployments supporting contracted intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. This role serves as the critical link between flight operations, logistics, sustainment, subcontractors, finance, and customer stakeholders to ensure successful deployment and sustainment of operational capabilities worldwide. The ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and can drive disciplined execution across organizations while building scalable processes that enable continued growth and mission success.
What you'll do:
- Deliver proven, exceptional, and reliable performance in support of customer/end-user’s mission through flawless program management.
- Effectively collaborate, motivate, and lead relevant stakeholders to successfully deliver early, under budget, and with exceptional technical performance.
- Manage customer relationships and act as the key point of contact for the program
- Astutely balance and rebalance shifting customer priories related to cost, schedule, and technical parameters of programs.
- Provide hands-on management of all aspects of the program
- Drive the accurate and timely tracking and reporting of budget, resource, and project management standard metrics
- Complete critical path analyses including the evaluation of potential means to accelerate the pace or mitigate identified risks
- Identify potential bottlenecks or delays in programs and drive efforts to ensure projects stay on schedule
- Partner with leadership to guide prioritization of projects and utilization of resources
- Establish and lead a consistent cadence of well-organized, well-facilitated, and effective meetings, including driving all preparation and follow up activities
- Support an environment where accountability and program execution excellence are core
Required qualifications:
- 5+ years of program management experience for Department of Defense programs
- Ability to run advanced projects/programs consisting of multiple interrelated projects, in a manner that is largely self-directed
- Proven ability to focus on long-term business objectives
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed
- Experience with scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet
- Excellent skills in leadership, time management, organization, team management
- Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal and written ability
- Expert understanding of complex project financials
- Demonstrated alignment with Shield AI's values and leadership principles, including accountability, trust, collaboration, and servant leadership
- Ability to obtain a Secret Security Clearance
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience supporting unmanned aerial systems, aviation operations, ISR programs, or defense technology programs
- Familiarity with aircraft sustainment, maintenance operations, or fleet management models
- Experience managing subcontractors, external service providers, or distributed operational teams
- Experience building scalable operational processes in startup or high-growth organizations
- Active Secret Security Clearance
- PMP certification or equivalent program management training
- Undergraduate degree in engineering, business, or operations management
#LI-AD6
#LD
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.
Similar Jobs at Shield AI
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Lead technical capture and pre-sales for the X-BAT aircraft in US markets, translating operational requirements into compliant proposals, supporting GTM engagements, liaising between BD and engineering, producing technical collateral, and mentoring BD teams to drive sales of Shield AI aircraft and integrated solutions.
Top Skills:
AcaCcaGroup 4 UasGroup 5 UasHivemindMission Systems IntegrationV-BatX-Bat
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Design, build, and automate electrical test systems and fixtures for UAV subsystems. Develop PCBs, integrate relays/PLCs/PCBAs, run environmental tests (HASS/ESS/HALT), automate test sequences in Python, and collaborate across disciplines to improve testability and reliability.
Top Skills:
AltiumCatiaEagleEssHaltHassKicadNxPcb DesignPcbasPlcsPower ElectronicsPythonRf CommunicationsSolidworks
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Lead design, validation, and deployment of advanced electrical hardware test systems for UAVs. Architect PCBs and test interfaces for power electronics, RF, and communications; develop automated Python test sequences; design test fixtures and integrate PLCs, relays, and harnessing; run HASS/ESS/HALT; drive DFT reviews; and mentor junior engineers.
Top Skills:
AltiumCatiaCommunicationsEagleEssHaltHassKicadNxPcbPcbaPlcPower ElectronicsPythonRelaysRfSolidworksTest Automation
What you need to know about the Austin Tech Scene
Austin has a diverse and thriving tech ecosystem thanks to home-grown companies like Dell and major campuses for IBM, AMD and Apple. The state’s flagship university, the University of Texas at Austin, is known for its engineering school, and the city is known for its annual South by Southwest tech and media conference. Austin’s tech scene spans many verticals, but it’s particularly known for hardware, including semiconductors, as well as AI, biotechnology and cloud computing. And its food and music scene, low taxes and favorable climate has made the city a destination for tech workers from across the country.
Key Facts About Austin Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 180,500; 13.7% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Dell, IBM, AMD, Apple, Alphabet
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, hardware, cloud computing, software, healthtech
- Funding Landscape: $4.5 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Live Oak Ventures, Austin Ventures, Hinge Capital, Gigafund, KdT Ventures, Next Coast Ventures, Silverton Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: University of Texas, Southwestern University, Texas State University, Center for Complex Quantum Systems, Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, Texas Advanced Computing Center
