Real job — pulled straight from Shield AI’s careers page · Verified August 10, 2026 · No reposts.
Job description
Shield AI is hiring a Senior Staff Technical Program Manager (R5595) — a full-time, based in Melbourne role. Apply directly on Shield AI's careers page below.
Senior Staff Technical Program Manager (R5595)
Team: AUS
Location: Melbourne
Commitment: International Office Entity
Workplace Type: onsite
Job Description:
Shield AI is a venture-backed defence technology company building intelligent autonomous systems for aircraft. Our mission is to protect service members and civilians through AI and autonomy.
We’re looking for a Technical Program Manager to join our Port Melbourne team, leading the development, integration, and deployment of the world’s best AI pilots across a range of transformative autonomous systems (UAVs, USVs, UUVs).
This is a high-impact, hands-on role working at the centre of our growing Australian operations. You’ll manage complex engineering programmes from early concept through to field testing and deployment — and work directly with customers, defence stakeholders, and internal teams to make it happen.
What you'll do:
- Lead and deliver end-to-end technical program management leverage your industry knowledge to shape/define program and organizational objectives
- Oversee the full programme lifecycle – initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure – ensuring exceptional outcomes.
- Fulfil contractual and customer deliverables with precision, timeliness, and clarity.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including government, defence, suppliers, and technical teams.
- Operate with sensitivity to cultural, political, and military dynamics across domestic and international partnerships.
- Conduct critical path analysis, manage earned value tracking, and report on programme health metrics.
- Proactively identify and mitigate risks and blockers.
- Lead organised, efficient meetings with clear actions and follow-up.
- Support business development efforts, including EOIs, RFTs, RFIs, proposals, and unsolicited submissions.
Required qualifications:
- Significant experience as a technical project or programme manager in complex engineering or technology domains.
- Proven track record of delivering complex, cross-functional projects aligned with long-term business strategy.
- Experience managing 0→1 product development cycles.
- Strong commercial understanding of project financials, including earned value management, estimates at completion, and contract data requirements.
- Proficiency in project management tools (e.g. Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Vena, Salesforce).
- Experience working with or within the Australian Defence Force.
- Outstanding communication, leadership, organisation, and influencing skills.
- A proactive, dependable, and collaborative mindset — you work hard, uphold high standards, and support your team.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with software or autonomy development programmes.
- Familiarity with the ASDEFCON (or equivalent) contracting suite.
- Exposure to multi-national teams, flight test campaigns, or airworthiness certification.
- PMP or Certified Scrum Master (CSM) accreditation.
- Experience working with or managing international defence related projects.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for Senior Staff Technical Program Manager (R5595) at Shield AI?
You can view the full description and apply for Senior Staff Technical Program Manager (R5595) at Shield AI on EchoJobs: https://echojobs.io/job/shield-ai-senior-staff-technical-program-manager-r5595-99khd.