Shield AI
Staff Engineer, Electrical System Advance Manufacturing (R5183)
TLDR
Lead end-to-end manufacturing engineering for advanced electrical systems in aerospace/defense, from prototype to full-rate production, focusing on manufacturability, reliability, and producibility.
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. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
What you'll do:
Lead manufacturing engineering activities for electrical and avionics systems from prototype through full-rate production
Develop and optimize manufacturing processes, tooling, work instructions, and production flows for:
Wiring harnesses and EWIS
PCB/PCBA assemblies
Avionics systems
Power distribution systems
Batteries and energy storage systems
Sensors and navigation systems
Mission system integration
Partner with design engineering to improve manufacturability, reliability, testability, and producibility
Drive root cause investigations and corrective actions for electrical manufacturing issues
Develop work instructions, quality standards, and inspection methods
Support supplier qualification, process validation, and production readiness reviews
Lead DFM/DFA reviews and transition new products into manufacturing
Develop electrical assembly standards, inspection methods, and quality control processes
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 experience supporting complex electrical systems
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field
Experience in prototype manufacturing in a startup or rapid-growth environment.
Experience with:
Wiring harness manufacturing
EWIS standards
PCB/PCBA manufacturing and assembly
Electrical integration and troubleshooting
Aerospace or defense electrical systems
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 industry experience
IPC certification familiarity (IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620)
Experience supporting flight hardware or mission-critical systems
Knowledge of automated test systems and electrical validation
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.
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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.
Benefits
Equity Compensation
Equity
Shield AI builds advanced AI-powered autonomy systems for military and defense applications, enabling mission-critical operations in contested environments. Our platform, Hivemind, supports developers and operators with robust tools for quick adaptation and deployment, ensuring superior situational awareness and operational efficiency. With unique solutions like the AI-piloted X-BAT and ViDAR surveillance system, we are transforming how defense technology meets real-world challenges.
- Founded
- Founded 2015
- Employees
- 51-200 employees
- Industry
- Internet Software & Services
Staff Engineer