We are seeking a motivated Associate Manufacturing Engineer to support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes for next-generation aerospace systems. In this role, you will partner with Design Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to transition products from design into production while supporting prototype builds, new product introduction (NPI), and production ramp-up.
This position may support one or more aircraft systems, including airframe structures, electrical systems, propulsion, mechanical systems, avionics, final integration, or ground support equipment. The ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver who enjoys working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and contributing to the production of advanced aerospace products.
What you'll do:
Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes for assigned products or aircraft systems.
Design and improve assembly tools, fixtures, jigs, and manufacturing aids to support safe, repeatable, and efficient production.
Create and maintain work instructions, manufacturing process documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and process flows.
Partner with Design Engineering to improve manufacturability, assembly efficiency, quality, and cost through Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA).
Support prototype builds, engineering builds, production readiness activities, and new product introductions.
Troubleshoot manufacturing issues using root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
Collaborate with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Industrial Engineering to improve safety, quality, throughput, and productivity.
Support tooling validation, first article inspections, process qualification, and production validation activities.
Utilize CAD software to develop tooling concepts, manufacturing layouts, and production support equipment.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing waste, improving quality, and increasing manufacturing efficiency.
Ensure manufacturing processes comply with engineering requirements, quality standards, and company procedures.
Required qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
0–3 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, production engineering, process engineering, or a related field (internship and co-op experience considered).
Understanding of manufacturing processes, assembly methods, and production operations.
Familiarity with CAD software such as CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent.
Basic understanding of engineering drawings, GD&T, and manufacturing documentation.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative manufacturing environment.
Excellent communication and organizational skills.
Preferred qualifications:
Internship or professional experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, robotics, or advanced manufacturing.
Experience supporting prototype builds, NPI, or production environments.
Familiarity with machining, composites, electrical assemblies, mechanical assemblies, or final system integration.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
Experience with ERP, MES, or PLM systems.
Familiarity with AS9100 or other regulated manufacturing environments.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field
- 2+ years experience in aircraft manufacturing, assembly, or tooling design
- Expertise in aircraft structure assembly including fastening, drilling, and tolerance stack-up
- Proficiency in CAD software (CATIA V5, Siemens NX, SolidWorks or equivalent) for tooling and assembly process design
- Familiarity with GD&T, metrology techniques, and precision alignment methodologies
- Experience working with automated assembly systems and advanced manufacturing technologies
- Knowledge of DFM/DFA principles
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced, high-security environment
What the Team is Saying
What We Do
At Shield AI, you won't wait years to see your work reach the field. You'll build hardware and software that operates in the real world right now, in the hands of the people who depend on it. Hivemind, our AI pilot, has been flying since 2018. It has flown more than 30 platforms, including an F-16, and it now sits under a U.S. Air Force production contract for Collaborative Combat Aircraft. When you write code or shape a system here, you contribute to technology with a proven flight record and a clear production future. V-BAT flies intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions with an operational record that stretches from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific. It delivers eyes where they matter most, in the most demanding conditions on earth. The teams behind it watch their work get tested where the stakes are real. X-BAT takes its first flight this year. It's an AI-piloted fighter that needs no runway, built to operate where traditional aircraft can't. Join now and you help shape a program at its earliest, most formative stage. That's the kind of ground-floor work that defines a career. Do the most impactful work of your life, on problems that matter. Autonomy at this level asks a lot of you. You'll take on problems in perception, planning, and control that few teams anywhere are equipped to solve. You'll work across disciplines, from aerospace and robotics to machine learning and systems engineering, alongside people who hold themselves to an exacting standard and expect the same from you. Our mission is clear: protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. That purpose runs through every decision, every design review, and every deployment. It's why the work here carries a weight you can feel. Ready to join our mission? Explore our open roles and find where you fit.
Why Work With Us
Founded in 2015 by a former Navy SEAL, Shield AI builds AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft. Veterans aren't an afterthought here, they're at every level. It's why the work carries weight: AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft flying real missions, from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific, protecting service members and civilians.
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Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
