Manager, Quality (R5120)

Posted Yesterday
Be an Early Applicant
Dallas, TX, USA
In-Office
130K-200K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.
The Role
Lead and maintain the Quality Management System for VBAT production, ensuring AS9100 compliance, manufacturing quality, inspections, MRB/CAPA management, and mentoring quality staff while partnering with production, supply chain, and engineering to improve processes and product conformity.
Summary Generated by Built In
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. 

Job Description:
The Quality Manager is responsible for leading and maintaining the Quality Management System (QMS) for VBAT manufacturing operations. This role ensures product conformity, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing quality across VBAT production, inspection, and testing.

What you'll do:

    Quality Management System (QMS)
  • Maintain and improve the company Quality Management System in alignment with AS9100 standard.
  • Develop, implement, and enforce quality policies, procedures, work instructions, and inspection criteria.
  • Support external customer and regulatory audits.
  • Drive compliance to AS9100 principles and customer-specific quality requirements.
  • Manufacturing Quality Oversight
  • Lead quality operations across VBAT assembly, composite fabrication, avionics integration, mechanical assembly, and test operations.
  • Ensure robust in-process and final inspection processes are in place and effective.
  • Establish inspection plans, acceptance criteria, and manufacturing quality controls.
  • Monitor production quality metrics including defects, escapes, rework, scrap, MRB activity, and yield.
  • Partner with production and manufacturing leadership to improve build quality, process discipline, and throughput.
  • Nonconformance & Corrective Action
  • Own the Material Review Board (MRB) process and disposition of nonconforming material.
  • Drive effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to closure.
  • Ensure containment actions are timely and effective while long-term solutions are implemented.
  • Inspection
  • Oversee inspection personnel including in-process inspection and final acceptance testing.
  • Ensure calibrated tooling and measurement systems are maintained and compliant.
  • Improve inspection efficiency while maintaining product integrity and traceability.
  • Leadership & Team Development
  • Build and develop a high-performing quality organization in a startup-growth environment.
  • Mentor Quality Engineers, Inspectors, and Technicians.
  • Promote a proactive quality culture focused on ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Drive cross-functional collaboration between Quality, Production, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams.

Required qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or related technical field; equivalent experience may be considered.
  • 5–10+ years of quality experience in aerospace, defense, UAV, aviation, or complex electromechanical manufacturing.
  • 3+ years of leadership or management experience.
  • Experience supporting low-rate/high-mix manufacturing environments.
  • Experience working directly on production floors and collaborating cross-functionally.

Preferred qualifications:

  • AS9100 internal or lead auditor certification.
  • Familiarity with defense contracting and customer quality requirements.
  • Experience implementing quality systems in scaling manufacturing environments.
  • Working knowledge of ERP/MES systems and quality data analysis tools.

#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. 

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or related technical field (or equivalent experience)
  • 5-10+ years of quality experience in aerospace, defense, UAV, aviation, or complex electromechanical manufacturing
  • 3+ years of leadership or management experience
  • Experience supporting low-rate/high-mix manufacturing environments
  • Experience working directly on production floors and collaborating cross-functionally
  • AS9100 internal or lead auditor certification
  • Familiarity with defense contracting and customer quality requirements
  • Experience implementing quality systems in scaling manufacturing environments
  • Working knowledge of ERP/MES systems and quality data analysis tools

What the Team is Saying

Dylan
Mo
Willy
Michael
Vibhav
Kirby
Ryan
Evan

Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Healthcare Strength Company materials describe excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage alongside a mental‑health EAP. Site perks such as an onsite gym in DC and a gym discount in San Diego support a health‑focused offering.
  • Retirement Support Careers materials highlight a 401(k) with company match as part of the standard package. A Total Rewards overview emphasizes retirement features within a broader, transparent compensation view.
  • Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards Compensation for in‑demand technical and senior go‑to‑market roles is described as competitive, with visible engineering ranges and top‑end packages. This points to meaningful upside tied to role, level, and scarce skills.

Shield AI Insights

Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: Port Melbourne, Victoria
Year Founded: 2015

What We Do

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.

Why Work With Us

What makes Shield AI special is our people. We unlock the power of autonomy, and in the face of overwhelming odds and challenges, we find ways to win and make a difference for our customers. We bring together software, AI, and aerospace engineering disciplines to deploy the most intelligent aviation capabilities in the world.

Gallery

Gallery

Shield AI Offices

Hybrid Workspace

Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.

Typical time on-site: 3 days a week
HQMelbourne, Victoria
HQSan Diego, CA
Abu Dhabi, AE
Arlington, VA
Boston, US
Frisco, US
Kyiv, UA
Melbourne, AU
Oslo, NO
Prosper, TX
Taipei City, TW
Taipei City, TW
Waltham, MA
Washington, US
Learn more

Similar Jobs

Shield AI Logo Shield AI

Senior Staff Verification and Validation Engineer (R4835)

Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
In-Office
2 Locations
170K-240K Annually

Shield AI Logo Shield AI

Senior Manager, Mechanisms Engineering (R4858)

Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
In-Office
Dallas, TX, USA
185K-278K Annually

Shield AI Logo Shield AI

Development Engineer

Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
In-Office
Dallas, TX, USA
184K-250K Annually

Shield AI Logo Shield AI

Staff Technician, Welder (R5113)

Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
In-Office
Dallas, TX, USA

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account