Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology 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 offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Boston, Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI’s technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn,X, YouTubeand Instagram.
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 Project 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 project management across scope, schedule, cost, resourcing, and risk.
- 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.
What You’ll Bring:
- 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.
Bonus Points For:
- 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.
Why Shield AI?
- Lead mission-critical programmes shaping the future of autonomous systems.
- Be part of a strategic, fast-scaling tech company delivering real-world impact.
- Work from our modern Port Melbourne HQ and collaborate with global colleagues.
- Salary + equity for permanent positions, with clear progression opportunities.
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.
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, colour, 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.
