Senior Manager, Autonomy (R5683)

Shield AI; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Manager, Autonomy to lead the in-country team in Melbourne and deploy Hivemind autonomy across unmanned systems. You will drive system architecture, design reviews, risk mitigation, and ensure product quality for defense and commercial programs.

Ideal candidates bring 10+ years in autonomy/UxS, deep C++ mastery, leadership of 6–20 engineers, and experience with government contracts, GNC, and robotics stacks. English and Mandarin fluency required.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of autonomy/UxS industry experience.
• 7+ years delivering software into high-reliability production environments.
• 2+ years managing technical teams.
• Deep proficiency in C++.
• Understanding of GNC (controls, estimation, planning).
• Experience with robotics stack (perception, estimation, planning, controls).
• Experience defining technical scope, ICDs, and system design docs.
• Customer-facing engineering leadership for defense and internal programs.
• Strong communication skills and leadership of 6–20 engineers.
• Fluent English and Mandarin.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams across autonomy, integration, and testing; align technical efforts and drive mission-focused execution.
• Lead a team advancing Hivemind and shaping autonomy architectures.
• Define and assign technical objectives; make engineering decisions and ensure deliverables.
• Provide technical leadership across IRAD initiatives and government defense contracts.

Skills

C++ proficiency

GNC understanding

Robotics stack knowledge

Software development processes

Technical leadership

Customer-facing leadership

Proposal/defense contracts

Excellent communication

Team leadership 6–20 engineers

English & Mandarin

Education

BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or related field

Job 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-BATaircraft, 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.

Job Description:

As Senior Manager, Autonomy, you will solve complex technical challenges in deploying advanced autonomy solutions on unmanned systems (UxS).

You will lead the in-country team to deliver autonomy solutions and provide clear leadership and guidance on system architecture, design, development, risk mitigation, and product quality. You will ensure the successful integration of Hivemind across a range of aircraft, from small UxS to large autonomous collaborative platforms.

This role is part of the Hivemind Solutions organization delivering cutting-edge autonomous capabilities for commercial and defense programs. The ideal candidate has relevant defense industry experience and a proven track record of leading technical teams to develop and deploy autonomous systems.

What you'll do:

• Lead teams across autonomy, integration, and testing by aligning technical efforts, resolving cross-functional challenges, and driving mission-focused execution. Balance hands-on technical oversight with performance optimization, innovation, and clear stakeholder communication.


• Lead a team responsible for advancing Hivemind and shaping autonomy architectures.


• Define and assign technical objectives, make key engineering decisions, and ensure the quality and completeness of all technical deliverables.


• Provide technical leadership and oversight across both Internal Research and Development (IRAD) initiatives and government defense contracts.

Required qualifications:

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or a related field


• 10+ years of industry experience in autonomy and/or UxS platforms (e.g., defense technology, autonomous vehicles)


• 7+ years delivering software into high-reliability production or certifiable environments


• 2+ years managing technical teams


• Deep proficiency in C++


• Understanding of guidance, navigation and control (GNC) (e.g., controls, estimation, planning)


• Understanding of the full robotics stack (e.g., perception, estimation, planning, controls)


• Understanding of software development processes and how to effectively deploy software


• Experience defining technical scope and managing technical requirements, product architectures, interface control documents (ICDs), and other system-level design documentation


• Demonstrated problem-solving skills, applying a structured, scientific approach


• Experience as a customer-facing engineering leader supporting both defense and internally funded development programs


• Experience contributing to government contract proposals


• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal


• Proven leadership of teams of 6–20 engineers


• Fluent written and spoken English and Mandarin

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, colour, 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.