Principal Technical Program Manager (R3882)

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With nine offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the 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:

We are looking for an exceptional Technical Program Manager to lead the development of Shield AI’s next-generation aircraft, taking it from concept to production. This is a ground-up, clean-sheet design effort that will define the future of autonomous aviation. You will be responsible for planning and managing the schedule, cost, development, and delivery of this strategic program, ensuring alignment across engineering, operations, and business teams to bring this revolutionary aircraft to market.

The ideal candidate will take extreme ownership over the product lifecycle, proactively engage and align stakeholders, demonstrate exceptional communication skills, and drive on-time, on-target delivery at every phase of the program. You will coordinate engineering execution and operational hand-offs to ensure we CRUSH schedule, cost, and performance objectives.

What you'll do:

1. Establish Clear Objectives:

Work closely with product managers, technical leads, and leadership to define clear objectives linked to mission impact, strategic growth, financial outcomes, and program success.

2. Program & Project Management:

Define and execute project plans, including milestones, timelines, and interdependencies. Track resources, establish clear priorities, and drive execution with disciplined program management methodologies.

3. Drive Timely, High-Quality, Critical Decisions:

While TPMs aren’t expected to design systems, you will possess a strong technical understanding to facilitate rigorous, fast, and effective decision-making processes.

4. Communicate with Excellence:

Ensure all stakeholders are aligned on status, milestones, and challenges. Engage suppliers, partners, and internal teams with clear expectations and a shared vision for success.

5. Empower the Team:

Create an environment where teams have the time, tools, and information they need to succeed. Ensure clear accountability, swift processes, and a culture of ownership and action. Eliminate obstacles and drive continuous improvement.

6. Deliver Outcomes:

Oversee and contribute to the creation and refinement of technical documentation to ensure seamless transitions between engineering, manufacturing, and operational teams. This includes RTM packages, work instructions, engineering change orders, service bulletins, and operational manuals.

7. Manage Customer Relationships & Deliverables:

Interact directly with and manage the customer relationship, ensuring alignment on objectives and expectations. Own all deliverables on the contract, ensuring successful execution and fulfillment.

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in technical program management or managing complex product development lifecycles.
• Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams to deliver complex engineering programs from concept to production.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to drive clarity and structure in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
• Exceptional communication skills, capable of synthesizing technical details and business priorities into actionable plans.
• Ability to quickly learn and develop specialized knowledge in emerging technologies and niche domains

• Experience managing clean-sheet design programs, especially in aerospace, defense, or advanced technology sectors.
• Proven ability to balance engineering realities with the speed of business execution.
• Experience conducting product, technology, and market discovery with subject matter experts.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret clearance.
• Familiarity with defense, national security, or aerospace domains through employment or education.

This role is an opportunity to play a pivotal part in developing a transformative autonomous aircraft. If you thrive in fast-paced environments, love building from the ground up, and want to be at the forefront of aerospace innovation, we want to hear from you!

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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.