Autonomy & Aircraft Integration Program Manager

Shield AI; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 170,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI seeks a Technical Program Manager to lead the integration of its Hivemind autonomy stack onto next-generation aircraft platforms. You will coordinate between aircraft engineering and autonomy software teams across Arlington, VA and San Diego, CA, driving schedules, budgets, risks, and milestone delivery to achieve mission-ready autonomous systems.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in coordinating complex hardware/software integrations and program management across distributed

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 through influence 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead Aircraft & Autonomy Integration Programs: Serve as the program manager responsible for the successful integration of Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software onto next-generation aircraft platforms.
• 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.
• Drive Timely, High-Quality Decisions: Facilitate rigorous, fast, and effective technical and programmatic decision-making across cross-functional teams.
• Integration & Flight Test Readiness: Coordinate system integration activities across labs, ground test, and flight test operations; drive readiness reviews and milestones.
• Communicate with Excellence: Drive organized meetings, status, priorities, risks, and alignment.
• Drive Technical Execution: Support documentation, change orders, work instructions, and operational procedures.
• Empower Teams & Remove Obstacles: Create an environment of clarity, tools, accountability, and support; escalate blockers and foster ownership.
• Deliver Outcomes: Track and report program financials, resources, schedules, and customer deliverables.
• Support Growth & Strategic Initiatives: Support proposals, RFIs, RFPs, evaluations, and strategic customer engagements.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Job description

Shield AI seeks a Technical Program Manager to lead the integration of its Hivemind autonomy stack onto next-generation aircraft platforms. You will coordinate between aircraft engineering and autonomy software teams across Arlington, VA and San Diego, CA, driving schedules, budgets, risks, and milestone delivery to achieve mission-ready autonomous systems.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in coordinating complex hardware/software integrations and program management across distributed