Technical Program Manager, Mission Autonomy - X-BAT

Shield; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI in Seattle is seeking a senior TPM to lead Hivemind autonomy integration onto X-BAT, coordinating aircraft engineering, autonomy software, manufacturing, lab availability, flight test, and operations.

This is a senior hardware/software program role where mission autonomy becomes an aircraft capability, requiring cross‑functional alignment and disciplined program management across scope, schedule, and risk.

Qualifications

• Senior experience leading complex cross-functional engineering programs.
• Technical understanding of software-enabled systems, autonomy, aerospace, or integrated products.
• Experience coordinating programs from concept through production and deployment.

Responsibilities

• Drive the integration program for Hivemind autonomy on X-BAT.
• Align software development with aircraft hardware, manufacturing, lab, and flight-test schedules.
• Define program objectives with product, engineering, operations, and executive stakeholders.
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, risk, and technical performance through deployment.

Skills

Lead cross-functional programs

Technical autonomy systems

Program delivery in aerospace

Job description

What the role actually is

Shield AI is hiring a TPM to lead Hivemind autonomy integration onto X-BAT. The role coordinates aircraft engineering, autonomy software, manufacturing, lab availability, flight test, and operational teams.

This is a senior hardware/software program role where mission autonomy has to become an aircraft capability, not just a software roadmap.

What you would work on

• Drive the integration program for Hivemind autonomy on X-BAT
• Align software development with aircraft hardware, manufacturing, lab, and flight-test schedules
• Define program objectives with product, engineering, operations, and executive stakeholders
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, risk, and technical performance through deployment

What they are asking for

• Senior experience leading complex cross-functional engineering programs
• Technical understanding of software-enabled systems, autonomy, aerospace, or integrated products
• Experience coordinating programs from concept through production and operational deployment
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret clearance

Why this one is worth a look

Mission autonomy roles like this sit at the handoff from AI capability to deployed system. The compensation range is high, and so is the coordination burden: this is for someone who can keep autonomy, aircraft, and defense-program constraints moving together.