Prototype & New Product Launch Manager

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:

As the Manager of Prototype & New Product Launch at Shield AI, you will lead the physical build of cutting-edge UAV prototypes and drive all launch readiness activities required to bring new products into full-rate production.  

In this highly cross-functional role, you will manage the execution of early-stage builds while orchestrating planning across workforce development, tooling and material readiness, pre-series build events, and launch quality systems. You will partner closely with engineering, operations, quality, and supply chain to ensure a seamless transition from concept validation to production ramp.  

This is a rare opportunity to shape how next-generation aerospace systems go from blueprint to build—defining the operating model for industrial excellence at Shield AI. 

• Lead day-to-day prototype build and integration efforts, ensuring adherence to technical specifications, quality standards, and timeline expectations. 
• Coordinate with Program Management to define build schedules, resource requirements, and milestone objectives for prototype and pre-series phases. 
• Drive workforce readiness and training plans, ensuring operational teams are prepared for new product introduction (NPI) and start of production (SOP). 
• Plan and execute pre-series builds, working cross-functionally to test systems, validate tooling, and trial materials and process controls. 
• Develop and manage launch-readiness dashboards, integrating quality, material, process, and personnel readiness metrics. 
• Partner with Design Engineering to iterate and refine products through build-test-learn cycles ahead of production release. 
• Manage risk and issue resolution throughout launch phases, implementing mitigation strategies to keep development and ramp timelines on track. 
• Support field testing events and serve as the interface between prototype activities and operations scale-up efforts. 
• Maintain ongoing communication with leadership and stakeholders to provide visibility into readiness status, challenges, and production forecasts. 

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related technical field. 
• 10+ years of experience in aerospace or advanced manufacturing, with at least 5 years leading prototype, launch, or new product introduction activities. 
• Proven experience managing prototype builds and bringing new hardware products into production. 
• Strong understanding of manufacturing readiness processes including workforce planning, tooling validation, and material coordination. 
• Excellent project management and problem-solving skills; able to coordinate across multiple functions under tight development schedules. 
• Effective leadership and communication skills with a track record of team development and stakeholder engagement. 

• Advanced degree in engineering or related technical discipline. 
• PMP certification or equivalent training in production launch, program management, or operational readiness. 

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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.