Leads manufacturing integration and production readiness for aerospace and defense platforms. Develops final assembly processes, coordinates system-level builds, drives DFM/DFA reviews, resolves integration issues through root cause analysis, defines work instructions and quality standards, supports product transitions into manufacturing, and collaborates across design, production, quality, supply chain, and test engineering. Mentors junior engineers and improves reliability, producibility, and production scalability.
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.
We are seeking a highly cross-functional Staff Integration Advance Manufacturing Engineer to lead final system integration and production readiness activities for complex aerospace and defense platforms. This role is responsible for ensuring successful integration of electrical, mechanical, propulsion, and mission systems into complete operational vehicles and assemblies.
The ideal candidate has broad multidisciplinary manufacturing experience and thrives in highly integrated production environments.
What you'll do:
- Lead manufacturing integration activities across electrical, mechanical, propulsion, and vehicle systems
- Develop and optimize final assembly and integration processes
- Coordinate system-level builds, integration sequencing, and production flow planning
- Partner with design engineering to improve manufacturability, reliability, testability, and producibility
- Drive root cause investigations and corrective actions for integration and assembly issues
- Develop work instructions, quality standards, and inspection methods
- Lead DFM/DFA reviews and transition new products into manufacturing
- Support system integration, validation, and troubleshooting activities
- Define manufacturing standards, process controls, and acceptance criteria
- Support failure analysis and reliability improvement initiatives
- Collaborate with production, quality, supply chain, and test engineering teams
- Mentor junior manufacturing engineers
Tools & skills:
- MES & QMS systems,
- 3DEXPERIENCE / Teamcenter (PLM) systems
- Supplier manufacturing processes
- 5S/visual management
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Required qualifications:
- 7+ years of manufacturing engineering or systems integration experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field
- Experience in prototype manufacturing in a startup or rapid-growth environment.
- Experience with:
- Electrical and mechanical integration
- Production operations
- Manufacturing process development
- DFM/DFA principles
- Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and adapt to changing priorities.
- Knowledge of manufacturing process development and production scaling
- Strong understanding of DFM/DFA principles
- Experience with root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies
Preferred qualifications;
- Aerospace or defense integration experience
- Experience supporting autonomous systems, UAVs, or advanced mobility platforms
- Familiarity with low-rate initial production (LRIP) and production scaling
- Experience with factory integration and manufacturing line design
- Experience with ERP/MES systems and manufacturing data analysis
- Strong project management skills, including experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines
- Knowledge of quality standards, such as AS9100 or ISO 9001
- Proficiency in CAD software
#LI-JM1
#LD
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
Leads strategic sourcing and procurement for critical aerospace mechanical commodities, including airframes, machined components, landing gear, engines, and propulsion hardware. Responsibilities include supplier selection and qualification, negotiations, cost analysis, supplier performance management, risk mitigation, new product introduction, production ramp-up, and cross-functional collaboration with engineering, quality, manufacturing, finance, contracts, and legal teams.
Top Skills:
CastingCnc MachiningCoatingComposite ManufacturingDfarsErp/Mrp SystemsFarForgingGd&THeat TreatmentItarMechanical AssemblyExcelPlatingWelding
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Lead technical development and performance improvement across aerospace mechanical suppliers. Assess supplier capabilities, manufacturing readiness, quality systems, capacity, tooling, and processes; drive industrialization, production ramp-up, corrective actions, and recovery efforts. Partner with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Strategic Sourcing teams, review technical documentation, support First Article Inspections, resolve manufacturing issues, and ensure compliance with aerospace requirements. Regularly travel to supplier sites and mentor junior team members.
Top Skills:
5-Why8DAerospace EngineeringAs9100As9102CastingCnc MachiningCoatingComposite ManufacturingDfarsFarFault-Tree AnalysisFirst Article InspectionFishbone AnalysisForgingGd&THeat TreatmentItarManufacturing EngineeringMeasurement SystemsMechanical EngineeringNadcapPfmeaPlatingProcess Capability AnalysisSix SigmaStatistical Process ControlWelding
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Manage and drive execution of X-BAT propulsion development: coordinate engineers, suppliers, test campaigns, and cross-functional teams to meet vehicle milestones, mitigate risks, and ensure flight readiness. Translate technical status for leadership and facilitate reviews, schedules, and integration activities.
Top Skills:
JIRASmartsheet
What you need to know about the San Francisco Tech Scene
San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area attracts more startup funding than any other region in the world. Home to Stanford University and UC Berkeley, leading VC firms and several of the world’s most valuable companies, the Bay Area is the place to go for anyone looking to make it big in the tech industry. That said, San Francisco has a lot to offer beyond technology thanks to a thriving art and music scene, excellent food and a short drive to several of the country’s most beautiful recreational areas.
Key Facts About San Francisco Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 365,500; 13.9% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Google, Apple, Salesforce, Meta
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, consumer technology, software
- Funding Landscape: $50.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins
- Research Centers and Universities: Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of San Francisco; Santa Clara University; Ames Research Center; Center for AI Safety; California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
