Senior Staff Technical Program Manager (R5595)

Shield AI is seeking a Technical Program Manager to join their Port Melbourne team, leading the development, integration, and deployment of AI pilots for autonomous systems like UAVs, USVs, and UUVs. This hands-on role manages complex engineering programs from concept through field testing and deployment, working directly with customers, defense stakeholders, and internal teams. The role involves overseeing the full program lifecycle, fulfilling contractual deliverables, managing risks, and supporting business development efforts.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver end-to-end technical program management leverage your industry knowledge to shape/define program and organizational objectives
• Oversee the full programme lifecycle – initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure – ensuring exceptional outcomes.
• Fulfil contractual and customer deliverables with precision, timeliness, and clarity.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including government, defence, suppliers, and technical teams.
• Operate with sensitivity to cultural, political, and military dynamics across domestic and international partnerships.
• Conduct critical path analysis, manage earned value tracking, and report on programme health metrics.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks and blockers.
• Lead organised, efficient meetings with clear actions and follow-up.
• Support business development efforts, including EOIs, RFTs, RFIs, proposals, and unsolicited submissions.

Requirements

• Significant experience as a technical project or programme manager in complex engineering or technology domains.
• Proven track record of delivering complex, cross-functional projects aligned with long-term business strategy.
• Experience managing 0→1 product development cycles.
• Strong commercial understanding of project financials, including earned value management, estimates at completion, and contract data requirements.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g. Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Vena, Salesforce).
• Experience working with or within the Australian Defence Force.
• Outstanding communication, leadership, organisation, and influencing skills.
• A proactive, dependable, and collaborative mindset — you work hard, uphold high standards, and support your team.

Nice to have

• Experience with software or autonomy development programmes.
• Familiarity with the ASDEFCON (or equivalent) contracting suite.
• Exposure to multi-national teams, flight test campaigns, or airworthiness certification.
• PMP or Certified Scrum Master (CSM) accreditation.
• Experience working with or managing international defence related projects.