What you'll do:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
#LD
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
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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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.
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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.
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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
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.
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Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.