Shield AI

Builds autonomous aircraft for defense

Senior Program Manager

Program ManagementConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

At least 8 years of program management experience supporting Department of Defense programs.
Demonstrated success running advanced programs consisting of multiple interrelated projects in a self-directed manner.
Direct experience supporting Navy operational, acquisition, ISR, aviation, maritime, or intelligence communities.
Proven experience managing customer-facing defense programs with responsibility for cost, schedule, and performance.
Experience leading cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, logistics, and business functions.
Demonstrated experience developing, shaping, capturing, or executing government contracts and task orders.
Strong business and financial acumen, with experience managing complex program financials.
Experience managing multiple priorities and programs in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated success driving long-term business objectives.
Experience with scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet.
Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
Demonstrated alignment with Shield AI's values and leadership principles, including accountability, trust, collaboration, and servant leadership.
Active Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

Deliver reliable performance in support of Navy missions through program management and leadership.
Collaborate with and lead relevant stakeholders to deliver programs early, under budget, and with strong technical performance.
Develop and maintain trusted relationships with Navy operational, acquisition, and technical stakeholders, and serve as the primary customer-facing lead for assigned programs.
Complete critical path analyses, including evaluating ways to accelerate work or mitigate identified risks.
Translate evolving customer requirements into executable plans across engineering, operations, logistics, and sustainment teams.
Balance shifting customer priorities related to program cost, schedule, and technical parameters.
Drive program execution across multiple concurrent task orders and customer organizations.
Lead staffing plans, execution strategies, risk assessments, and program activities.
Establish and maintain accurate program schedules, financial forecasts, staffing plans, and risk registers.
Track and report budget, resource utilization, contract performance, and project management metrics accurately and on time.
Establish and lead an effective cadence of well-organized meetings, including preparation and follow-up activities.
Support the growth and maturation of Shield AI's Navy portfolio and position the company for follow-on awards and expanded mission scope.
Support an environment where accountability and program execution excellence are core.

Desired Qualifications

Former Navy experience, either active duty or civilian.
Experience supporting unmanned aerial systems, aviation operations, ISR programs, or defense technology programs.
Familiarity with U.S. Navy operational, acquisition, and technical organizations.
Experience supporting deployed operations, expeditionary operations, or global logistics networks.
Experience transitioning new capabilities into operational fleet use.
PMP certification or equivalent program management training.
An undergraduate degree in engineering, business, or operations management.

Salary Range: 140000 to 210000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

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:

The Senior Program Manager will lead the execution and growth of Navy Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) programs. This role serves as the primary interface between US Navy stakeholders, business development, engineering, operations, and executive leadership to identify opportunities, shape task orders, and successfully deliver mission-critical capabilities to operational customers.

The candidate will possess deep US Navy experience, understand how requirements transition into funded task orders, and will have a proven track record of success leading complex defense programs from opportunity identification through execution. This individual will ensure exceptional customer satisfaction and operational outcomes for Shield AI customers.

What you'll do:

Deliver proven, exceptional, and reliable performance in support of Navy missions through flawless program management and leadership
Effectively collaborate and lead relevant stakeholders to successfully deliver programs early, under budget, and with exceptional technical performance
Develop and maintain trusted relationships with Navy operational, acquisition, and technical stakeholders. Serve as the primary customer-facing lead for assigned programs
Complete critical path analyses including the evaluation of potential means to accelerate the pace or mitigate identified risks
Translate evolving customer requirements into executable plans across engineering, operations, logistics, and sustainment teams
Astutely balance and rebalance shifting customer priories related to cost, schedule, and technical parameters of programs
Drive program execution across multiple concurrent task orders and customer organizations.
Lead staffing plans, execution strategies, risk assessments, and program activities
Establish and maintain accurate program schedules, financial forecasts, staffing plans, and risk registers
Drive accurate and timely tracking and reporting of budget, resource utilization, contract performance, and project management metrics
Establish and lead a consistent cadence of well-organized, well-facilitated, and effective meetings, including driving all preparation and follow up activities
Support the growth and maturation of Shield AI's Navy portfolio while positioning the company for follow-on awards and expanded mission scope
Support an environment where accountability and program execution excellence are core

Required qualifications:

8+ years of Program Management experience supporting Department of Defense programs.

Demonstrated successful experience running advanced programs consisting of multiple interrelated projects, in a self-directed manner

Direct experience supporting Navy operational, acquisition, ISR, aviation, maritime, or intelligence communities

Proven experience managing customer-facing defense programs with responsibility for cost, schedule, and performance

Experience leading cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, logistics, and business functions

Demonstrated experience developing, shaping, capturing, or executing government contracts and task orders

Strong business and financial acumen with experience managing complex program financials

Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills

Ability to manage multiple priorities and programs in a fast-paced environment

Demonstrated success driving long-term business objectives

Experience with scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet

Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed 

Demonstrated alignment with Shield AI's values and leadership principles, including accountability, trust, collaboration, and servant leadership

Active Secret Security Clearance

Preferred qualifications:

Former Navy experience (active duty or civilian)

Experience supporting unmanned aerial systems, aviation operations, ISR programs, or defense technology programs

Familiarity with U.S. Navy operational, acquisition, and technical organizations

Experience supporting deployed operations, expeditionary operations, or global logistics networks

Experience transitioning new capabilities into operational fleet use

PMP certification or equivalent program management training

Undergraduate degree in engineering, business, or operations management

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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.

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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.

About the Company

Shield AI

Builds autonomous aircraft for defense

Shield AI builds autonomous aircraft and flight software for military and allied defense customers, with a focus on operations where conventional remote control breaks down. Its Hivemind AI pilot handles decisions during a mission, while the V-BAT aircraft gathers intelligence and locates targets. Aircraft makers use its software tools to develop and test their own autonomy, and its Aechelon business supplies visual and sensor simulation for pilot training. The company earns money from aircraft sales, autonomy software and contracted engineering and operational services. Shield AI was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Company size: 1,001-5,000
Company stage: Series G
Total funding: $3.3B
Headquarters: San Diego, CA
Founded: 2015

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