Founded in 2015, 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 and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. 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
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Job Description:
Shield AI is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager to lead execution of the Hopper Demonstration Program within the XBAT organization. This role is responsible for driving cross-functional integration, technical execution, demonstration readiness, and program coordination across a fast-paced autonomous aircraft development effort.
This position is intentionally geared toward highly technical leaders who bring deep aerospace systems experience and are capable of operating effectively across flight sciences, vehicle integration, aerostructures, autonomy, test, and operations teams. The ideal candidate combines strong engineering intuition with disciplined program execution and thrives in environments where rapid iteration, systems integration, and flight demonstration timelines intersect.
This role will serve as a key integrator across engineering and program functions, helping align technical execution with demonstration objectives, risk reduction activities, and operational milestones.
What you'll do:
Lead day-to-day execution of the Hopper Demonstration Program across engineering, integration, flight test, and operations stakeholders
Drive integrated program planning, technical coordination, and execution tracking across multiple subsystem teams
Coordinate activities spanning flight controls, aero/performance, aerostructures, avionics, autonomy, software, and vehicle integration
Partner closely with engineering leads to identify technical risks, integration gaps, and critical path dependencies
Support development and execution of demonstration campaigns, flight readiness activities, and test event planning
Facilitate technical reviews, milestone assessments, configuration reviews, and executive program updates
Drive cross-functional alignment between design, manufacturing, integration, test, and operational teams
Help mature systems integration processes, demonstration workflows, and execution rigor across the program
Track and communicate program status, technical risks, mitigation plans, and schedule impacts to leadership
Support rapid problem solving and decision-making in dynamic development and flight test environments
Required qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline
8+ years of experience in aerospace, unmanned systems, autonomous systems, or advanced aircraft development programs
Strong technical background in one or more of the following:
Flight controls
Aerodynamics / flight sciences
Vehicle integration
Systems engineering
Aerostructures
Flight test
Experience working on complex integrated aerospace systems or unmanned aircraft platforms
Demonstrated experience coordinating cross-functional technical teams and driving execution across subsystem boundaries
Strong understanding of systems integration, technical risk management, and development lifecycle execution
Ability to communicate effectively with highly technical engineering teams as well as executive leadership
Strong organizational, leadership, and decision-making skills
U.S. Person status required due to export control regulations
Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired
Preferred qualifications:
Experience supporting aircraft demonstration programs or rapid prototyping efforts
Prior experience in unmanned systems, autonomy, VTOL, or advanced mobility platforms
Experience operating in fast-paced development or flight test organizations
Familiarity with model-based systems engineering (MBSE), requirements management, or configuration management processes
Experience with integrated flight test planning and execution
Prior technical leadership transitioning into program management or technical program leadership roles
Active U.S. security clearance