# Senior Program Manager

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** Dallas, TX, Washington, DC
**Role:** Technical Program Management
**Salary:** $140k – $210k/yr
**Experience:** 8+ years
**Skills:** Program Management, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Stakeholder Management, Risk Management, Financial Forecasting, Government Contracting, Task Order Management, Cross-Functional Leadership, PMP
**Posted:** 2026-06-16

> Lead execution and growth of Navy ISR programs as the primary interface between US Navy stakeholders, business development, engineering, and executive leadership. Requires 8+ years of DoD program management experience and active Secret clearance.

## Job Description

## What you'll do:
- Deliver proven, exceptional, and reliable performance in support of Navy missions through flawless program management and leadership
- Effectively collaborate and lead relevant stakeholders to successfully deliver programs early, under budget, and with exceptional technical performance
- Develop and maintain trusted relationships with Navy operational, acquisition, and technical stakeholders. Serve as the primary customer-facing lead for assigned programs
- Complete critical path analyses including the evaluation of potential means to accelerate the pace or mitigate identified risks
- Translate evolving customer requirements into executable plans across engineering, operations, logistics, and sustainment teams
- Astutely balance and rebalance shifting customer priorities related to cost, schedule, and technical parameters of programs
- Drive program execution across multiple concurrent task orders and customer organizations
- Lead staffing plans, execution strategies, risk assessments, and program activities
- Establish and maintain accurate program schedules, financial forecasts, staffing plans, and risk registers
- Drive accurate and timely tracking and reporting of budget, resource utilization, contract performance, and project management metrics
- Establish and lead a consistent cadence of well-organized, well-facilitated, and effective meetings, including driving all preparation and follow up activities
- Support the growth and maturation of Shield AI's Navy portfolio while positioning the company for follow-on awards and expanded mission scope
- Support an environment where accountability and program execution excellence are core

## Required qualifications:
- 8+ years of Program Management experience supporting Department of Defense programs
- Demonstrated successful experience running advanced programs consisting of multiple interrelated projects, in a self-directed manner
- Direct experience supporting Navy operational, acquisition, ISR, aviation, maritime, or intelligence communities
- Proven experience managing customer-facing defense programs with responsibility for cost, schedule, and performance
- Experience leading cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, logistics, and business functions
- Demonstrated experience developing, shaping, capturing, or executing government contracts and task orders
- Strong business and financial acumen with experience managing complex program financials
- Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and programs in a fast-paced environment
- Demonstrated success driving long-term business objectives
- Experience with scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed
- Demonstrated alignment with Shield AI's values and leadership principles, including accountability, trust, collaboration, and servant leadership
- Active Secret Security Clearance

## Preferred qualifications:
- Former Navy experience (active duty or civilian)
- Experience supporting unmanned aerial systems, aviation operations, ISR programs, or defense technology programs
- Familiarity with U.S. Navy operational, acquisition, and technical organizations
- Experience supporting deployed operations, expeditionary operations, or global logistics networks
- Experience transitioning new capabilities into operational fleet use
- PMP certification or equivalent program management training
- Undergraduate degree in engineering, business, or operations management

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