a16z Program Manager (R4930)
Posted Updated
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, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. 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 . Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Job Description:
Seeking a Program Manager to lead execution and operational maturity for global Company-Owned, Company-Operated (COCO) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) deployments supporting contracted intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. This role serves as the critical link between flight operations, logistics, sustainment, subcontractors, finance, and customer stakeholders to ensure successful deployment and sustainment of operational capabilities worldwide. The ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and can drive disciplined execution across organizations while building scalable processes that enable continued growth and mission success.
What you'll do:
- Deliver proven, exceptional, and reliable performance in support of customer/end-user’s mission through flawless program management.
- Effectively collaborate, motivate, and lead relevant stakeholders to successfully deliver early, under budget, and with exceptional technical performance.
- Manage customer relationships and act as the key point of contact for the program
- Astutely balance and rebalance shifting customer priories related to cost, schedule, and technical parameters of programs.
- Provide hands-on management of all aspects of the program
- Drive the accurate and timely tracking and reporting of budget, resource, and project management standard metrics
- Complete critical path analyses including the evaluation of potential means to accelerate the pace or mitigate identified risks
- Identify potential bottlenecks or delays in programs and drive efforts to ensure projects stay on schedule
- Partner with leadership to guide prioritization of projects and utilization of resources
- Establish and lead a consistent cadence of well-organized, well-facilitated, and effective meetings, including driving all preparation and follow up activities
- Support an environment where accountability and program execution excellence are core
Required qualifications:
- 5+ years of program management experience for Department of Defense programs
- Ability to run advanced projects/programs consisting of multiple interrelated projects, in a manner that is largely self-directed
- Proven ability to focus on long-term business objectives
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed
- Experience with scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet
- Excellent skills in leadership, time management, organization, team management
- Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal and written ability
- Expert understanding of complex project financials
- Demonstrated alignment with Shield AI's values and leadership principles, including accountability, trust, collaboration, and servant leadership
- Ability to obtain a Secret Security Clearance
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience supporting unmanned aerial systems, aviation operations, ISR programs, or defense technology programs
- Familiarity with aircraft sustainment, maintenance operations, or fleet management models
- Experience managing subcontractors, external service providers, or distributed operational teams
- Experience building scalable operational processes in startup or high-growth organizations
- Active Secret Security Clearance
- PMP certification or equivalent program management training
- Undergraduate degree in engineering, business, or operations management
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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.
Skills
As published by lever · 20 questions · 9 written answers
Basics
Which location are you applying for?, Resume/CV, Full name, Email, Phone, Current location, Current company, LinkedIn URL, Twitter URL, GitHub URL, Portfolio URL, Other website
Short answers (1)
- Please state your full legal name:
Pick from a list (10)
- Are you authorized to work in the United States?
- Will you require sponsorship for employment now or in the future?
- This position may require access to information and technology that is subject to export controls, such as EAR. Are you any of the following?
- Shield AI provides technology, services, and support to the United States military and allied forces with their various missions. If selected for employment with Shield AI, your contributions will directly relate to and/or support these missions. Are there any reasons why you would not be able to fully contribute in support of the U.S. military and allied forces?
- How did you hear about us?
- Are you a transitioning service member?
- If yes, what partnership program are you working with? optional
- Are you local to or willing to relocate? optional
- What office(s) would you be willing to relocate to? (Select all that apply) optional
- This position requires an Active or the eligibility to obtain a U.S. DoD Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). optional
Written answers (9)
- If yes, what type of sponsorship? optional
- If you selected "A protected Individual" OR "Other" to the above question, please explain further. optional
- (Optional) If you selected other or would like to expand on the above, feel free to do so below: optional
- If "Industry Conference" or "Other," please provide more details: optional
- If other, please provide further details optional
- When are you available to start your fellowship? optional
- When are you available for full time work? optional
- What full time job(s) are you applying for?
- If you selected international, what location(s)? optional