Full-Time
Senior Staff Program Manager
Hivemind Customer Engagement
Updated on 3/14/2025
Shield AI
501-1,000 employees
Develops AI and autonomous systems for defense
Compensation Overview
$174.4k - $261.6kAnnually
Expert
San Diego, CA, USA
The job is onsite in the San Diego metro area.
US Top Secret Clearance Required
- 10+ years of program management experience, ideally in a customer-facing or technical environment (e.g., defense, robotics, autonomous systems, or SaaS)
- 2+ years of late-stage startup experience
- Experience with strategic partnerships
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with experience using tools like JIRA, Asana, Smartsheets, or Azure DevOps
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively engage cross-functional teams and customers
- Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple priorities in dynamic, high-stakes environments
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills to anticipate challenges and proactively address them.
- Manage and oversee customer-focused programs (e.g., Workshops, Trainings etc.) from planning through execution, ensuring on-time delivery and measurable outcomes.
- Collaborate with Applications Engineers, Product, and Engineering to track and drive key milestones related to customer feature/bug requests, integrations, demos, and training workshops.
- Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, and budgets for customer deployments.
- Identify and mitigate risks, ensuring programs meet technical, operational, and customer requirements.
- Work directly with customers to gather feedback and track performance metrics to refine the Hivemind Enterprise product.
- Ensure proper documentation and handoffs for customer-facing activities, including training materials, demos, and support resources.
- Manage communication across internal and external stakeholders to drive alignment and engagement.
- Engineering background in addition business (ie MBA) acumen
- Experience working in the defense or aerospace industry with knowledge of government customers and military use cases.
- Familiarity with autonomous vehicle software, UAV systems, or robotic applications.
- Certification in project management methodologies (e.g., PMP, Agile, or Scrum).
Shield AI specializes in creating artificial intelligence and autonomous systems specifically for the defense industry. The company develops advanced AI-powered systems, including autonomous drones, that assist military operations, especially in environments where GPS and communication are unavailable. This technology allows for safer and more efficient defense operations. Shield AI differentiates itself from competitors by focusing on high-demand solutions that enhance operational capabilities and safety, and by securing significant contracts with government and military clients, such as the multi-billion dollar EWAAC contract. The company's goal is to protect lives through its innovative technologies and to continue growing in the defense technology market.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
Late Stage VC
Total Funding
$1.2B
Headquarters
San Diego, California
Founded
2015
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- $240 million funding round boosts Shield AI's growth and innovation potential.
- Collaboration with L3Harris enhances electronic warfare capabilities and market reach.
- Expansion of Hivemind Enterprise opens new partnerships and revenue streams.
What critics are saying
- Increased competition from companies like Rantizo challenges Shield AI's market position.
- Reliance on government contracts exposes Shield AI to defense spending changes.
- International expansion may face geopolitical risks and regulatory hurdles.
What makes Shield AI unique
- Hivemind is the first autonomous AI Pilot deployed in combat since 2018.
- Shield AI's V-BAT is Japan's first maritime ISR platform, enhancing defense capabilities.
- Strategic acquisitions like Martin UAV strengthen Shield AI's position in autonomous systems.
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Benefits
Medical Insurance Coverage
Long Term Disability Insurance
Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA
Employee Assistance Program
Subsidized Gym Membership
Pet Insurance
Competitive Compensation
Retirement Services
Life Insurance
Parental Leave
Bereavement Support
Flexible Work Hours
PTO
Paid Holidays
Commuter Benefits
Relaxed Dress Code
Yearly Swag Items
Unlimited Snacks
Bottomless Beverages
Annual Celebrations
Work From Home Benefits
Standing Desks and Widescreen Monitors
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 1%1 year growth
↑ 0%2 year growth
↑ 0%Industrial observers say Shield AI's software could be integrated into Hanwha's future unmanned aircraft platforms.
Shield AI on Thursday said it has raised $240 million in a new funding round to fuel growth of its autonomy software suite that it recently began offering to other companies, governments, and developers to build, test, and integrate autonomy into their robotic...
WASHINGTON, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Shield AI, the deep-tech company building state-of-the-art autonomy software products and defense aircraft, today announced it has completed a $240 million, F-1 strategic funding round, raising the company's valuation to $5.3 billion.
Shield AI announced a $240 million F-1 strategic funding round, raising its valuation to $5.3 billion. Major investors include L3Harris and Hanwha Aerospace, with existing investors like Andreessen Horowitz participating. The funds will expand the deployment of Hivemind Enterprise, an autonomy software suite for intelligent machines. Shield AI's technology supports U.S. and allied operations, with successful autonomy applications in various military aircraft and environments.
L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) recently announced a collaboration with Shield AI to enhance electronic warfare capabilities, integrating their DiSCO system with AI technology.