Senior Staff Technical Program Manager (R5595)

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.

Responsibilities

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.

Requirements

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.

Nice to have

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.