Help deliver autonomous defence systems designed to counter one of the fastest-growing threats in modern warfare: drone swarms.

About Praetorian

Praetorian Aeronautics builds advanced autonomous aerial systems designed to protect and defend against the rapidly evolving threat of drone warfare.

Headquartered in Adelaide, we are developing an integrated ecosystem of counter-autonomy systems including:

Dagger – a modular autonomous interceptor designed to defeat Group 2–3 drone threats

Hadrian – an AI-enhanced command and control system enabling operators to deploy interceptors at scale

Venator – a long-endurance autonomous mothership UAS capable of deploying interceptors and extending operational reach

Together, these systems enable defence operators to detect, assess, and defeat autonomous threats while maintaining situational dominance in contested environments.

What you’ll be doing

As Program Manager, you’ll play a central role in turning complex engineering programs into deployable capability for defence partners while helping shape how Praetorian executes programs as the company scales.

You’ll own program delivery across Praetorian’s autonomous systems portfolio, ensuring engineering, product, and operations teams stay aligned as systems move from development into operational deployment. On top of that, you will:

• Lead multiple concurrent technical programs
• Coordinate engineering, product, and operations teams
• Own program schedules, milestones, and delivery outcomes
• Identify risks early and drive mitigation across technical teams
• Remove obstacles to maintain program momentum
• Mentor and lead a team of project managers
• Establish scalable program management frameworks
• Provide program visibility and reporting to leadership

What We’re Looking For

• Substantial experience in program management, project management, or technical delivery
• Background in aerospace, robotics, autonomous systems, or unmanned systems
• Experience leading teams of project managers or technical program leads
• Proven experience delivering complex aerospace, autonomy, or defence programs
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management capability
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced startup environment
• Familiarity with aerospace certification, airworthiness, or defence program environments

Nice to Have

• Experience in defence technology startups
• Systems engineering experience
• Familiarity with ADF, DoD, NATO, or allied defence program structures
• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent certification

Benefits

• Competitive salary and employee share option plan (ESOP)
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge autonomy and defence technology
• Work alongside a small, high-calibre team of engineers and operators
• Real ownership and influence as Praetorian scales
• Professional development and learning opportunities

Security & Compliance Requirements

Due to the nature of our work with defence and national security partners, the successful applicant will need to undergo a National Police Check, be eligible to obtain and maintain an Australian Government Security Clearance, and comply with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Interested to find out more? Reach out to us on careers@praetorian-aeronautics.com or hit Apply!