# Senior Staff Technical Program Manager

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** San Diego, CA
**Role:** Technical Program Management
**Salary:** $170k – $260k/yr
**Experience:** 8+ years
**Skills:** Jira, Test Automation, Release Management, Software Testing, CI/CD, Hardware-In-The-Loop Testing, Flight Test Operations, Project Planning, Risk Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration
**Posted:** 2026-06-12

> Lead planning, execution, and delivery of complex software releases and test automation initiatives for Hivemind Enterprise autonomy platform. Requires 8+ years in program or test engineering with strong technical foundations in software testing and release management.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Drive the planning, execution, and delivery of complex software releases for the Hivemind Enterprise platform
- Drive major initiatives building out rigorous simulation-based test automation for autonomy software
- Drive large complex test operations from CI through HIL and flight test
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product management, and customer engagement, to define test scope, objectives, and deliverables
- Develop detailed project plans, including timelines, milestones, and resource allocation, ensuring adherence to budget and schedule
- Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies to ensure successful project completion
- Facilitate regular communication with stakeholders, providing updates on project status, challenges, and accomplishments
- Drive continuous improvement in project management processes, tools, and methodologies
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence within the program management team
- Facilitate technical decision making to appropriately prioritize work and make complex trades
- Reinforce Shield AI's reputation for technical excellence and ability to deliver through expert engagement and disciplined execution

## Requirements
- B.S. in Computer Science, or a related field with 8+ years of work experience in Program Management, Engineering Management or Software Test Engineering; alternative degrees are acceptable if professional experience is focused in testing Enterprise Software, Artificial Intelligence, or Robotics
- Experience driving testing of complex software and integrated HW/SW systems
- Experience driving release management and software test operations
- Track record of driving results, not just providing status
- Solid technical foundations in test engineering and software development, with deep knowledge of how to optimize the software development lifecycle
- Ability to recognize efficiency and inefficiency in projects and prioritize remedies based on accurate cost-benefit analysis
- Exceptional, fundamentals-driven problem solver and communicator
- Demonstrated record of setting and achieving goals in dynamic environments, working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Power user of Jira or work management tools

## Nice-to-Haves
- Advanced degree in Computer Science or MBA
- Previous experience as a software developer or a test engineer
- Previous experience driving software releases or test operations for enterprise software used by software engineers
- Passionate about software documentation
- Autonomy, AI, ML expertise
- PMP, Scrum Master, or similar qualifications

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