Senior Technical Program Manager – Autonomous Aviation

About the role

Shield AI is seeking a senior technical program manager to lead the integration of its Hivemind autonomy stack onto next‑generation aircraft platforms. The role will guide programs from concept through production and operational deployment, coordinating hardware and software teams across global locations.

Key responsibilities

• Own delivery of Hivemind Enterprise software to Armed Services and OEM customers, ensuring integration readiness.
• Partner with aircraft engineering teams to align software development with hardware integration, manufacturing, and flight test schedules.
• Define clear program objectives with product, engineering, operations, and executive leadership, tracking scope, schedule, budget, and risk.
• Facilitate technical and programmatic decision‑making, identify risks, and drive mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate system integration, ground and flight test activities, and conduct gate reviews and PMRs.

Required profile

• Minimum 10 years of experience leading complex cross‑functional engineering programs, preferably in military aviation.
• Strong technical understanding of software‑enabled autonomous systems and aerospace platforms.
• Proven ability to manage scope, schedule, budget, and technical performance in fast‑paced environments.
• Excellent stakeholder communication and ability to lead through influence across distributed teams.

Required skills

• PMP certification (or equivalent program management experience).
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification.
• Experience integrating autonomy or software systems onto defense platforms.
• Familiarity with defense acquisition processes and MoD contracting.