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.
Job Description:
Shield AI is seeking a Director of Mission Control to serve as the enterprise authority for fleet allocation, configuration posture, and operational prioritization across all Aircraft Division product lines.
Mission Control is responsible for ensuring aircraft, ranges, and operational resources are allocated in alignment with enterprise priorities, contractual obligations, revenue objectives, and mission readiness requirements. This role serves as the authoritative arbiter of competing fleet demands, balancing customer commitments, test requirements, training events, deal capture activities, and long-term technology roadmap objectives.
The Director will maintain the enterprise fleet ledger, supervise configuration posture decisions, validate operational requirements, and oversee range allocation and mission approval processes. This role requires deep understanding of Shield AI’s business model, contract structures, market dynamics, aircraft configurations, and cross-functional interdependencies. Decisions made within Mission Control carry significant operational and financial impact.
Required qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Engineering, Business, Operations Research, or related field.
12+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, aviation operations, program management, or enterprise resource allocation roles.
Demonstrated experience making high-impact operational decisions with financial, contractual, or revenue implications.
Deep understanding of aircraft operations, configuration management, and mission planning principles.
Proven ability to balance competing enterprise priorities in high-tempo, high-stakes environments.
Experience interfacing with senior leadership, program managers, business development teams, and operational leaders.
Strong analytical and decision-making capabilities with the ability to synthesize operational, financial, and strategic inputs.
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to adjudicate resource conflicts with clarity and authority.
Experience developing governance structures, operational processes, and decision frameworks.
Preferred qualifications:
Advanced degree (MBA, M.S. in Engineering Management, or related field).
Experience in fleet management, air operations centers, mission planning cells, or enterprise scheduling organizations.
Prior military experience in aviation operations, air tasking orders (ATO), or operational command centers.
Familiarity with revenue recognition models, government contract structures, and deal capture strategies.
Experience supporting multi-product or multi-theater aircraft operations.
Knowledge of range management, airspace coordination, and regulatory approval processes.
Experience building enterprise dashboards, fleet tracking systems, or operational data tools.
