# Manager, Autonomy Applications Engineering

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** London, United Kingdom
**Role:** Engineering Management
**Experience:** 8+ years
**Skills:** C++, Python, Hivemind Sdk, Software Engineering, Deployment Engineering, Solutions Engineering, Applications Engineering, Forward Deployed Engineering, Customer Engineering, Debugging, Systems Integration, Autonomy, Robotics, Aerospace, Defense Technology
**Posted:** 2026-06-17

> Leads Forward Deployed Engineers delivering customer deployments, adoption, and operational success with the Hivemind SDK. The role combines people management, technical escalation, customer engagement, and cross-functional product feedback, requiring 8+ years of technical experience and strong C++ and Python skills.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities

- Lead, manage, mentor, and develop a team of Forward Deployed Engineers responsible for customer deployments and technical customer success.
- Own team planning, prioritization, staffing, and execution for on-site and virtual customer engagements.
- Provide technical leadership for customer onboarding, deployment, adoption, and operational success with the Hivemind SDK.
- Serve as an escalation point and trusted technical leader for customers using Hivemind in real-world environments.
- Translate customer goals, mission needs, and program objectives into technical milestones, execution plans, and team priorities.
- Drive accountability for achieving intended customer outcomes during active engagements.
- Guide debugging and resolution of complex software and integration issues.
- Partner with customer teams and internal stakeholders to remove blockers, improve time-to-value, and sustain adoption.
- Collect, synthesize, and communicate recurring customer pain points, product gaps, and field insights to internal teams.
- Represent the customer voice in internal planning and prioritization discussions.
- Collaborate with product and engineering teams to improve product quality, usability, deployment readiness, and repeatable field execution.

## Requirements

- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
- 8+ years of relevant technical experience in software engineering, deployment engineering, solutions engineering, applications engineering, or forward deployed engineering.
- 2+ years of people management or formal technical leadership experience for engineers.
- Experience in a customer-facing technical leadership role such as forward deployed engineering, solutions engineering, applications engineering, or customer engineering.
- Strong software engineering background, including the ability to review and debug complex systems and guide technical tradeoffs.
- Strong proficiency with modern C++ and professional experience with Python.
- Excellent communication, presentation, interpersonal, coaching, and people leadership skills.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with sound judgment under pressure.
- Ability to operate with autonomy and accountability in ambiguous environments while leading a team through ambiguity.
- Ability to travel up to 30%.

## Nice-to-haves

- 3+ years of experience working in a startup environment.
- Experience managing or leading teams in the defense, robotics, aerospace, or autonomous systems industry.
- Experience building or scaling a forward deployed engineering, solutions engineering, applications engineering, or customer engineering function.
- Experience gathering field feedback, influencing product direction based on customer needs, and establishing repeatable customer success playbooks.

## Benefits

- Work at the forefront of AI, autonomy, and next-generation defense systems.
- Operate in an entrepreneurial and mission-driven environment.
- Make a direct impact on international growth and strategic defense partnerships.
- Collaborate with teams solving complex operational challenges.

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