Product Manager, Hivemind on X - Shield AI

Job Title: Product Manager, Hivemind on X
Job Location: Washington DC Metro Area
Job Listing URL: https://jobs.lever.co/shieldai/3a5da49b-4b45-4ca0-a678-c9de31a9093f
Job Description: Introduction to Shield AI
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company whose mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. In pursuit of this mission, Shield AI is building the world’s best AI pilot. Its AI pilot, Hivemind, has flown a fighter jet (F-16), a vertical takeoff and landing drone (V-BAT), and a quadcopter (Nova). The company has offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington DC and abroad. Shield AI’s products and people are currently in the field actively supporting operations with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. allies.

As a Product Manager on the Hivemind team, you will lead efforts to identify and address the most critical autonomy needs for Shield AI and its customers. Collaborating with a cross-functional team—business development, program managers, engineers, and executives—you'll help define what we build, when, and for whom. This high-impact role requires deep expertise in the testing, development, procurement, and operational use of military aircraft—with a focus on multi-role fighters and unmanned ISR platforms.
What you'll do:
Collaborate with BD, Engineers, and PMs to develop technical, management, and pricing strategies.
Work with other Product Managers, Program Managers, Business Development, sponsors, operational end-users, industry partners, and a talented cross-functional engineering team to determine what we will build, when, why and for whom. You will communicate your findings via a variety of artifacts including product roadmaps, whitepapers, CO NOPs, and presentations.
Lead studies that result in a multi-year look ahead for Shield AI’s Jet Autonomy product offerings. This includes assessing everything required to develop, deploy, operate, sustain, maintain autonomous systems on military aircraft.
Required qualifications:
Jet aviation expertise: This role requires a versatile individual who has a deep understanding of aviation autonomy, DoD program funding & development cycles, military aviation testing, and the operational experience to frame and make informed decisions regarding integrated hardware, software, and systems engineering efforts
Exceptional communication skills—can effectively communicate with business executives, engineers, customers, end users, senior military leaders, etc.
8+ years experience with jet aviation, as either a flight engineer or aviator
The ability to obtain and maintain a US Security Clearance. US citizenship is required as only US citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
Preferred qualifications:
Military positional leadership (Squadron Commander, etc.)
Operational planning experience
Programmatic experience developing, acquiring, and implementing new technology or capabilities for military aviation units