Senior Manager, Autonomy

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:

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 

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