Shield AI is seeking a Senior Fleet Auditor to serve as the function lead for physical custody of the enterprise fleet within Aircraft Division.
The Fleet Strategy & Portfolio Management function maintains the authoritative ledger of every aircraft in the enterprise fleet and ensures that every operational decision is grounded in accurate, real-time data. Physical custody (sign-out and sign-in transactions, inspections, deficiency logging, and routing to Sustainment) is the moment where ground truth is created. Without disciplined custody, the data layer underpinning every fleet decision drifts.
The Senior Fleet Auditor will set the standards for PMCS execution across aircraft, GSE, and payloads; own sign-out and sign-in custody transactions; route deficient assets to Sustainment; and serve as the single point of accountability for the physical custody function. This role requires deep aviation maintenance expertise, demonstrated authority with maintenance organizations, and the ability to set and enforce consistent inspection standards across a high-tempo enterprise fleet.
What you'll do:
- Set PMCS standards, inspection protocols, and deficiency-logging procedures for aircraft, GSE, and payloads across the enterprise fleet.
- Lead and develop the inspection function, ensuring consistent execution across every transaction.
- Audit operational teams across the enterprise (AVOs, MX, Field Operations, and customer-facing units) for compliance with gear control, tool control, and custody standards. Drive corrective action and escalate persistent non-compliance to maintain the integrity of the custody function.
- Routinely audit the inspection team's own work product to enforce standards compliance, identify drift, and ensure consistent, defensible execution at every transaction.
- Own the formal sign-out and sign-in custody transactions for the enterprise fleet, serving as the accountable authority for the physical transfer of aircraft, payloads, and ground support equipment.
- Conduct the Mission out brief for outbound aircraft, ensuring receiving teams have the configuration, condition, and load-out information they need to execute.
- Maintain custody documentation as the official record of transfer.
- Identify, log, and route deficient aircraft, GSE, and payloads to Sustainment for repair, configuration adjustment, or replacement.
- Serve as the primary Fleet Strategy interface to Sustainment for asset handoffs and maintenance escalations.
- Coordinate with Sustainment on return-to-service timelines and ensure the Fleet Analyst has accurate visibility into asset status throughout the maintenance cycle.
- Partner with the Fleet Analyst to ensure every custody transaction is reflected accurately in the enterprise ledger.
- Coordinate with AVOs and operational teams on inspection scheduling, inventory protocols, and special inspection requirements.
- Engage Engineering on configuration verification when deficiencies require it.
Required qualifications:
- 10+ years of aviation maintenance experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
- Prior military experience as a senior NCO (E-7 or higher) in aviation maintenance, Production Superintendent, or civilian equivalent in an aviation maintenance organization.
- Deep, hands-on knowledge of FMC standards, PMCS execution, and aircraft configuration management.
- Demonstrated authority and credibility with maintenance organizations and operational teams.
- Experience setting standards, writing inspection procedures, and training subordinates.
- Strong organizational and documentation skills.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to interface across maintenance, operations, and leadership.
Preferred qualifications:
- V-BAT, fixed-wing UAS, or other unmanned aircraft systems experience.
- Prior experience interfacing with depot-level maintenance and supply chain organizations.
- Familiarity with enterprise fleet management software or custody tracking systems.
- Experience leading multi-person inspection or quality assurance teams.
- Background operating in high-tempo, multi-mission aviation environments.
Skills Required
- 10+ years of aviation maintenance experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
- Prior military experience as a senior NCO (E-7 or higher), Production Superintendent, or civilian equivalent in an aviation maintenance organization.
- Deep, hands-on knowledge of FMC standards, PMCS execution, and aircraft configuration management.
- Demonstrated authority and credibility with maintenance organizations and operational teams.
- Experience setting standards, writing inspection procedures, and training subordinates.
- Strong organizational and documentation skills.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to interface across maintenance, operations, and leadership.
- V-BAT, fixed-wing UAS, or other unmanned aircraft systems experience.
- Prior experience interfacing with depot-level maintenance and supply chain organizations.
- Familiarity with enterprise fleet management software or custody tracking systems.
- Experience leading multi-person inspection or quality assurance teams.
- Background operating in high-tempo, multi-mission aviation environments.
What the Team is Saying
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 defense-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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