Location
Kyiv, Ukraine
Salary
(Yearly)
(Yearly)
(Yearly)
(Yearly)
(Hourly)
Undisclosed
Category
Program Manager
Date posted
September 16, 2026
Job type
Full-time
Experience level
Summary this job with AI
Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
We are seeking a Manager, Autonomy Software Integration & Test to lead a team supporting the development, integration, testing, and deployment of autonomous systems in Ukraine.
This is a hands-on leadership role that combines people management with technical execution across software, hardware, aircraft systems, and flight operations. The ideal candidate has strong software and systems-integration experience, develops high-performing engineers, and can lead complex work in fast-paced field environments.
This role will primarily support operations in the Kyiv region, with occasional travel to other locations within Ukraine.
What You'll Do
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Autonomy Software Integration & Test Engineers.
- Set technical priorities, assign resources, manage schedules, and ensure the team delivers against operational requirements.
- Guide the development and integration of autonomy software across fixed-wing, multirotor, and other unmanned systems.
- Provide technical direction for software bring-up, system configuration, troubleshooting, and mission readiness.
- Oversee simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, ground-test, and live flight-test activities.
- Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis across software, onboard compute, networking, radios, sensors, flight controllers, and mission systems.
- Coordinate engineering support for demonstrations and operational test events, including pre-flight preparation and post-flight analysis.
- Partner with autonomy, systems, hardware, flight-test, and operational teams to integrate and validate new capabilities.
- Establish effective test procedures, integration workflows, documentation, and deployment-readiness standards.
- Remain technically engaged and contribute directly to development, integration, and field troubleshooting when needed.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- 5+ years of experience developing, integrating, or testing software for robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded systems, or a related field.
- Previous experience managing or leading engineering teams.
- Strong software-engineering experience in C++ and Python.
- Experience with Linux-based systems and hands-on hardware/software integration.
- Experience supporting field testing, flight testing, demonstrations, or operational exercises.
- Familiarity with MAVLink, PX4, ArduPilot, QGroundControl, or related unmanned-systems technologies.
- Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to operate independently in dynamic environments.
- Ability to travel within Ukraine as required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leading teams supporting autonomous aircraft or unmanned systems.
- Experience with SIL, HIL, VIL, simulation, or flight-test environments.
- Familiarity with ROS, DDS, embedded systems, or real-time systems.
- Experience with flight controllers, avionics, RF communications, datalinks, or networking systems.
- Background in defense, robotics, aerospace, or autonomous systems.
- Ukrainian and English language proficiency.
