At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of engineers to support customer success with cutting-edge autonomy software.
- Company: Join Shield AI, a pioneering defence-tech company dedicated to protecting lives with intelligent systems.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive rewards package, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Exciting travel opportunities and a chance to work in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence technology while mentoring a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in technical roles and 2+ years in leadership; strong engineering skills required.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
Founded in 2015, 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 and V‑BAT and X‑BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia‑Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.
Shield AI is seeking a Manager, Autonomy Applications Engineering to lead a team of Forward Deployed Engineers supporting customer deployment, adoption, and operational success with the Hivemind SDK. This is a highly technical, customer‑facing leadership role focused on enabling the team to deliver excellent on‑site customer support, deployment execution, and success in real‑world environments. The manager will own team performance, customer outcomes, and the flow of actionable field feedback back into the company.
In this role, you will manage, coach, and develop Forward Deployed Engineers who work directly with customer operators, engineers, and technical stakeholders to support onboarding, deployment, troubleshooting, and sustained use of Hivemind. You will help the team navigate complex technical environments, translate mission and program goals into concrete technical milestones, and drive progress during active engagements. You will also partner closely with internal engineering, product, Applications Engineering, and program teams to improve customer readiness, product usability, deployment playbooks, and long‑term customer success. This role includes up to 30% travel, including frequent customer site visits and oversight of active customer engagements.
What you’ll do
- Lead, manage, mentor, and develop a team of Forward Deployed Engineers responsible for customer deployments and technical customer success.
- Own team planning, prioritization, staffing, and execution for on‑site and virtual customer engagements.
- Provide technical leadership for customer onboarding, deployment, adoption, and operational success with the Hivemind SDK.
- Serve as an escalation point and trusted technical leader for customers using Hivemind in real‑world environments.
- Translate customer goals, mission needs, and program objectives into clear technical milestones, execution plans, and team priorities.
- Drive accountability across the team for achieving intended customer outcomes during active engagements.
- Guide the team through debugging and resolution of complex software and integration issues.
- Partner with customer teams and internal stakeholders to remove blockers, improve time‑to‑value, and sustain adoption.
- Build mechanisms to collect, synthesize, and communicate recurring customer pain points, product gaps, and field insights to internal teams.
- Represent the voice of the customer in internal planning and prioritization discussions.
- Collaborate with product and engineering teams to improve product quality, usability, deployment readiness, and repeatable field execution.
Who you should apply if
- You enjoy leading technical teams while staying close to customers and field execution.
- You are energized by coaching engineers through dynamic on‑site challenges in real operational contexts.
- You can translate ambiguous customer needs into structured technical plans, team priorities, and measurable outcomes.
- You are comfortable making decisions, removing blockers, and helping a team drive progress under pressure.
- You have strong engineering fundamentals and can build credibility quickly with technical stakeholders, customers, and direct reports.
- You enjoy working across engineering, product, and customer teams to improve both product outcomes and customer success.
- You are passionate about or have great interest in autonomy, robotics, aerospace, defense technology, or deploying advanced software in the field.
Required qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
- 8+ years of relevant technical experience in software engineering, deployment engineering, solutions engineering, applications engineering, or forward deployed engineering.
- 2+ years of people management or formal technical leadership experience for engineers.
- Experience in a customer‑facing technical leadership role such as forward deployed engineering, solutions engineering, applications engineering, or customer engineering.
- Strong technical background in software engineering, including the ability to review and debug complex systems and guide technical tradeoffs.
- Strong proficiency with modern C++ and experience with Python in a professional setting.
- Excellent communication, presentation, interpersonal, coaching, and people leadership skills.
- Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills, with sound judgment under pressure.
- Ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy and accountability in ambiguous environments while leading a team through ambiguity.
- Ability to travel up to 30%.
Preferred qualifications
- 3+ years of experience working in a startup environment.
- Experience managing or leading teams in the defense, robotics, aerospace, or autonomous systems industry.
- Experience building or scaling a forward deployed engineering, solutions engineering, applications engineering, or customer engineering function.
- Experience gathering field feedback, influencing product direction based on customer needs, and establishing repeatable customer success playbooks.
Our international teammates receive a comprehensive total rewards package aligned to your country office location. For full details on compensation and benefits, please consult your talent acquisition partner.
Manager, Autonomy Applications Engineering (R5188) in London employer: Shield
Shield AI is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment in the heart of London. As a leader in defense technology, employees benefit from a culture that values creativity and adaptability, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development. The company fosters collaboration across diverse teams and provides unique exposure to high-stakes projects that make a meaningful impact on global security.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager, Autonomy Applications Engineering (R5188) in London
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Manager, Autonomy Applications Engineering (R5188) role you’re after at Shield.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Shield a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Shield.
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We think you need these skills to ace Manager, Autonomy Applications Engineering (R5188) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Manager, Autonomy Applications Engineering (R5188), it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Shield a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Shield specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Shield
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Shield, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Shield want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
