Lead enterprise strategy development, capital allocation, financial modeling, market analysis, and cross-functional execution for defense technology initiatives. Support strategic planning, evaluate portfolio and investment tradeoffs, develop business cases, drive acquisition and integration efforts, establish performance cadences, and resolve execution bottlenecks. Partner with senior stakeholders across a technology-driven organization to translate strategic priorities into measurable growth and operational outcomes.
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.
Shape the strategy behind the next generation of defense technology. In this role, you’ll tackle complex business challenges, guide high-impact investment decisions, and turn bold strategic priorities into action, partnering across the organization to drive growth, scale, and long-term impact.
What you'll do:
- Support the multi‑year strategic planning and annual operating strategy cycles.
- Evaluate portfolio tradeoffs across platforms, software, hardware, and emerging growth vectors.
- Conduct market sizing, competitive analysis, and scenario modeling across U.S. and allied defense markets.
- Build financial models and analytic frameworks for investment decisions (new platforms, manufacturing, international expansion).
- Assess TAM, margin structure, capital intensity, payback, and risk‑adjusted returns.
- Contribute to the development of enterprise‑wide capital allocation frameworks and governance processes.
- Translate strategic priorities into cross‑functional execution plans with defined KPIs and milestones.
- Lead the planning and execution of integration efforts for acquisitions, strategic investments, and other inorganic growth initiatives.
- Track and report on progress through structured operating cadences (monthly and quarterly performance reviews).
- Identify bottlenecks, analyze root causes, and recommend actionable solutions to sustain execution velocity.
Enterprise Strategy Development:
Capital Allocation & Business Case Rigor:
Operationalization of Strategy:
Required qualifications:
- Min 12+ years of experience with Bachelors, 8+ with Masters, and 5+ with PhD.
- Min 4+ years’ experience in a strategy consulting, corporate strategy or other high‑rigor roles.
- Strong analytical and conceptual problem‑solving abilities.
- Experience leading complex, cross-functional transformations in fast-paced, technology-driven environments
- Demonstrated ability to structure ambiguous problems and drive insight through analysis.
- Financial modeling and analytical capability (unit economics, forecasting, scenario analysis).
- Experience or strong interest in complex, technical, or regulated industries (aerospace, defense, AI, or advanced manufacturing preferred).
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams and influence senior stakeholders.
- U.S. citizenship required (ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance).
#LI-KC5
#LE
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.
###
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.
Similar Jobs at Shield AI
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Lead enterprise strategy, capital allocation, financial modeling, and cross-functional execution for defense technology growth. Evaluate portfolio investments, market opportunities, and risk-adjusted returns while translating strategic priorities into measurable operating plans. Lead acquisition and strategic investment integration, establish governance and performance cadences, track synergies, resolve bottlenecks, and influence senior stakeholders across technical and business functions.
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Owns Shield AI’s website user experience and content journeys across key audience personas. Maintains and publishes WordPress content, builds digital experiences, improves navigation and conversion paths, and partners with agencies, designers, product marketers, communications, recruiting, and business stakeholders. Monitors web performance and user behavior while ensuring accessibility, SEO, brand, quality, and performance standards. Uses AI-enabled workflows and manages multiple web updates, launches, and stakeholder requests.
Top Skills:
CSSHTMLWordpress
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Leads regional facilities operations across offices, engineering spaces, manufacturing environments, laboratories, hangars, warehouses, and secure areas. Supervises Facilities Coordinators, manages vendors and budgets, coordinates maintenance and workplace services, delivers non-capital facilities projects, supports major project turnover, implements safety and security requirements, and serves as the regional escalation point. The role also drives reporting, risk management, compliance, employee experience, and continuous improvement across multiple sites.
Top Skills:
Access ControlBuilding Management SystemsComputerized Maintenance Management SystemsElectrical SystemsFire And Life Safety SystemsHvacIntegrated Workplace Management SystemsPlumbing Systems
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
With vibrant neighborhoods, great food and more affordable housing than either coast, Chicago might be the most liveable major tech hub. It is the birthplace of modern commodities and futures trading, a national hub for logistics and commerce, and home to the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association. This diverse blend of industry influences has helped Chicago emerge as a major player in verticals like fintech, biotechnology, legal tech, e-commerce and logistics technology. It’s also a major hiring center for tech companies on both coasts.
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
