Senior Lead, Enterprise Strategy and Operations (R6097)

Shieldai; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a seasoned strategist to shape the next generation of defense technology. You will guide investment decisions, translate bold strategic priorities into action, and partner across the organization to drive growth, scale, and long-term impact.

In this role, you will support multi-year planning, evaluate portfolio tradeoffs, and build financial models for investment decisions while leading cross-functional transformations in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Min 12+ years of experience with a Bachelor's degree.
• Min 4+ years in a strategy consulting, corporate strategy or other high‑rigor roles.
• Strong analytical and conceptual problem‑solving abilities.
• Experience leading complex, cross‑functional transformations in fast-paced, technology-driven environments
• Demonstrated ability to structure ambiguous problems and drive insight through analysis.

Responsibilities

• Support the multi‑year strategic planning and annual operating strategy cycles.
• Evaluate portfolio tradeoffs across platforms, software, hardware, and emerging growth vectors.
• Conduct market sizing, competitive analysis, and scenario modeling across U.S. and allied defense markets.
• Build financial models and analytic frameworks for investment decisions (new platforms, manufacturing, international expansion).
• Translate strategic priorities into cross‑functional execution plans with defined KPIs and milestones.
• Lead the planning and execution of integration efforts for acquisitions, strategic investments, and other inorganic growth initiatives.
• Track and report on progress through structured operating cadences (monthly and quarterly performance reviews).
• Identify bottlenecks, analyze root causes, and recommend actionable solutions to sustain execution velocity.

Skills

Strategic planning

Financial modeling

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

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-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.

Job Description:

Shape the strategy behind the next generation of defense technology. In this role, you’ll tackle complex business challenges, guide high-impact investment decisions, and turn bold strategic priorities into action, partnering across the organization to drive growth, scale, and long-term impact.

Enterprise Strategy Development:

• Support the multi‑year strategic planning and annual operating strategy cycles.
• Evaluate portfolio tradeoffs across platforms, software, hardware, and emerging growth vectors.
• Conduct market sizing, competitive analysis, and scenario modeling across U.S. and allied defense markets.

Capital Allocation & Business Case Rigor:

• Build financial models and analytic frameworks for investment decisions (new platforms, manufacturing, international expansion).
• Assess TAM, margin structure, capital intensity, payback, and risk‑adjusted returns.
• Contribute to the development of enterprise‑wide capital allocation frameworks and governance processes.

Operationalization of Strategy:

• Translate strategic priorities into cross‑functional execution plans with defined KPIs and milestones.
• Lead the planning and execution of integration efforts for acquisitions, strategic investments, and other inorganic growth initiatives.
• Track and report on progress through structured operating cadences (monthly and quarterly performance reviews).
• Identify bottlenecks, analyze root causes, and recommend actionable solutions to sustain execution velocity.

Experience and Requirements:

• Min 12+ years of experience with Bachelors, 8+ with Masters, and 5+ with PhD.
• Min 4+ years’ experience in a strategy consulting, corporate strategy or other high‑rigor roles.
• Strong analytical and conceptual problem‑solving abilities.
• Experience leading complex, cross‑functional transformations in fast-paced, technology-driven environments
• Demonstrated ability to structure ambiguous problems and drive insight through analysis.
• Financial modeling and analytical capability (unit economics, forecasting, scenario analysis).
• Experience or strong interest in complex, technical, or regulated industries (aerospace, defense, AI, or advanced manufacturing preferred).
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and influence senior stakeholders.
• U.S. citizenship required (ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance).

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.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed toequal 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.