Product Manager, Academia (R3709)
Shield AI
San Diego, CA, USA · Oregon, USA · San Diego, CA, USA
Posted on Jul 25, 2025
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Boston, Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI’s technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn,X, YouTubeand Instagram.
Job Description:
The Hivemind Product Manager guides the development and product roadmap for the AI and autonomy software developed by Shield AI and flown on real-world aircraft. As HMP Product Manager, you will set priorities for software releases based on a deep understanding of both internal and external autonomy needs. These will be driven by direct interaction with autonomy engineers and technical directors, as well as a deep understanding of the technical landscape and both government and commercial customers. You will be the owner and primary driver of Shield AI’s autonomy software.
What you'll do:
- The Hivemind Product Manager for Shield AI’s academic outreach leads the adaptation and development of Hivemind SDK to fit the distinct needs of educational institutions.
- This role is responsible for defining and managing the product roadmap, ensuring the academic product addresses unique technical, and usability requirements of researchers, educators and students.
- The Product Manager collaborates with cross-functional teams—including engineers, customer engagement team, and external academic partners—to collect feedback and translate it into prioritized product features.
Required qualifications:
- Typically requires a minimum of 4 years and a Master’s degree; or 2 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
- B.S. in Computer Science; Similar degree or equivalent practical experience acceptable.
- You have both breadth and depth of experience contributing to autonomy and robotics solutions.
- You are an expert communicator and collaborator with both technical and non-technical audiences.
- You are an expert at balancing technical vs business risks and turning engineering output into business outcomes.
- You are a relentless learner who can comfortably develop the specialized knowledge necessary for drive the roadmap of a highly technical product.
- You have deep customer empathy and are highly creative at crafting technical solutions to solve customer problems.
Preferred qualifications:
- Advanced degree (MSc or PhD)
- Track record of publications and papers
- Experience developing and shipping real-world autonomous robots
- Experience developing and shipping a developer-oriented product or platform
- Experience in highly technical customer facing roles
- Expertise in modern C++ and algorithmic development for autonomous perception, cognition, and action
- Expert user of robotics frameworks such as ROS/ROS2, NVidia ISAAC, or similar
- Experience with unmanned air systems Experience with airworthiness, functional safety, or cybersecurity
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Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.