Shield AI

Program Manager, FMS (R6161)

Shield AI • $110K — $170K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of program management experience for Department of Defense programs.
  • Ability to manage complex, interrelated projects independently.
  • Strong focus on long-term business objectives.
  • Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
  • Experience with scheduling tools like Microsoft Project or Smartsheet.
  • Excellent leadership, time management, and organizational skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Expert understanding of complex project financials.
  • Alignment with Shield AI's values of accountability, trust, collaboration, and servant leadership.
  • Ability to obtain a Secret Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

  • Deliver exceptional program management to support customer missions.
  • Lead Foreign Military Sales programs from contract award to delivery and support.
  • Collaborate and motivate stakeholders to achieve early and under-budget delivery.
  • Manage relationships with U.S. Government and international customers as the key contact.
  • Coordinate with various teams including engineering, logistics, and operations.
  • Balance shifting customer priorities regarding cost, schedule, and performance.
  • Provide hands-on management of all program aspects.
  • Track and report on budget, resources, and project metrics accurately.
  • Conduct critical path analyses to mitigate risks and accelerate execution.
  • Identify and address potential program bottlenecks to maintain schedules.
  • Oversee delivery, training, and sustainment activities for international programs.
  • Facilitate effective internal and customer meetings with organized follow-ups.
  • Foster an environment of accountability and program execution excellence.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including health and wellness programs.
  • Bonus opportunities based on performance.
  • Equity options available for employees.
  • Support for professional development and training.
  • Flexible work arrangements to promote work-life balance.
Full Job Description
Job Description:

Seeking a Program Manager to lead execution of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs delivering advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems and capabilities to U.S. international partners. This role serves as the critical link between U.S. Government stakeholders, international customers, engineering, logistics, sustainment, contracting, finance, and operations to ensure successful delivery and long-term program performance. The ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and can drive disciplined execution across complex government and international stakeholder organizations while maintaining strong customer relationships and rigorous management of cost, schedule, and technical performance.

What you'll do:

  • Deliver proven, exceptional, and reliable performance in support of customer/end-user missions through flawless program management.
  • Lead execution of Foreign Military Sales programs from contract award through delivery, acceptance, training, sustainment, and follow-on support.
  • Effectively collaborate, motivate, and lead relevant stakeholders to successfully deliver early, under budget, and with exceptional technical performance.
  • Manage relationships with U.S. Government and international customers and act as the key point of contact for assigned programs.
  • Coordinate closely with U.S. Government program offices, contracting organizations, international partners, engineering, operations, logistics, and sustainment teams.
  • Astutely balance and rebalance shifting customer priorities related to cost, schedule, technical performance, and contractual requirements.
  • Provide hands-on management of all aspects of the program.
  • Drive the accurate and timely tracking and reporting of budget, resource, schedule, and project management standard metrics.
  • Complete critical path analyses, including evaluation of potential means to accelerate execution or mitigate identified risks.
  • Identify potential bottlenecks or delays in programs and drive efforts to ensure projects remain on schedule.
  • Manage delivery, training, fielding, sustainment, and acceptance activities associated with international programs.
  • 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 internal and customer meetings, including driving all preparation and follow-up activities.
  • Support an environment where accountability, customer trust, 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, and team management.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal and written communication 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 managing Foreign Military Sales programs or supporting international military customers.
  • Familiarity with Foreign Military Sales program management processes.
  • Experience supporting unmanned aerial systems, aviation operations, or defense technology programs.
  • Familiarity with aviation product delivery, maintenance, sustainment, and field support.
  • Familiarity and/or previous working relationships with NAVAIR, including PMA-263 or other UAS program offices.
  • Experience coordinating with U.S. Government acquisition, contracting, security cooperation, and logistics organizations.
  • Experience supporting international delivery, training, acceptance, or sustainment activities.
  • Active Secret Security Clearance.
  • PMP certification or equivalent program management training.
  • Undergraduate degree in engineering, business, or a related field.


$110,000 - $170,000 a year

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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.

About Shield AI

Shield AI is a defense technology company that develops artificially intelligent systems for military applications. The company was founded in 2015 by Brandon Tseng, Ryan Tseng, and Andrew Reiter, and is headquartered in San Diego, California. Shield AI's products include autonomous drones and software that can be used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and other military operations. The company's mission is to reduce the number of military casualties by providing soldiers with better intelligence and situational awareness. Shield AI has received funding from a number of investors, including Andreessen Horowitz and Founders Fund.
Learn more about Shield AI
Size
200 employees
Industry
Founded
2015

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