Founded in 2015, Shield AI is building intelligent, autonomous aircraft that protect service members and civilians around the world. As we scale production, we're building more than a factory—we're building an AI-native manufacturing ecosystem that will define the future of aerospace production.
Build the AI Factory of the Future
We're looking for a Digital Factory Lead to help create one of the world's most advanced manufacturing environments.
This role sits at the intersection of manufacturing, software, data, automation, and artificial intelligence. You will define and deploy the digital systems, connected infrastructure, and AI-enabled tools that power aircraft production—transforming factory operations through technology.
From implementing our Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to deploying AI-powered manufacturing solutions, you'll help define how autonomous aircraft are built for years to come.
What you'll do:
- Develop and execute Shield AI's AI Manufacturing roadmap.
- Identify opportunities to leverage AI across production, quality, maintenance, supply chain, training, and operational decision-making.
- Deploy AI-powered solutions including intelligent work instructions, manufacturing copilots, predictive maintenance, automated root-cause analysis, and advanced analytics.
- Partner with software and data teams to turn operational challenges into scalable technical solutions.
- Capture and digitize manufacturing knowledge to improve workforce productivity, training, and consistency.
- Lead the deployment, configuration, and continuous improvement of Shield AI's Manufacturing Execution System (MES).
- Establish the digital thread connecting engineering, production, quality, maintenance, and supply chain operations.
- Drive integration between MES, ERP, PLM, QMS, factory automation systems, and manufacturing equipment.
- Define and deploy the digital architecture supporting production equipment, tooling, test systems, PLCs, sensors, and industrial controls.
- Establish factory-wide connectivity and real-time operational visibility.
- Develop the data ecosystem required to support AI, automation, analytics, and future autonomous manufacturing capabilities.
- Develop and execute Shield AI's Digital Factory roadmap.
- Lead automation initiatives across manufacturing, inspection, testing, and material flow.
- Evaluate emerging technologies including machine vision, digital twins, autonomous inspection, and next-generation manufacturing systems.
- Help define what aircraft manufacturing should look like over the next decade.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Automation, or a related technical discipline.
- 8+ years of experience in digital manufacturing, manufacturing systems, industrial automation, software-enabled operations, or Industry 4.0 environments.
- Experience implementing manufacturing software systems such as MES, QMS, maintenance, analytics, or automation platforms.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, industrial controls, factory automation, and manufacturing data systems.
- Experience working directly with software developers, system integrators, automation engineers, or data teams to deliver production-ready solutions.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives from concept through deployment.
Preferred qualifications:
- Aerospace, defense, automotive, robotics, electronics, or other high-complexity manufacturing experience.
- Experience supporting greenfield factory launches or large-scale factory transformations.
- Experience applying AI, machine learning, advanced analytics, or digital twin technologies in an operational environment.
- Knowledge of AS9100, or other highly controlled manufacturing systems.
Why Shield AI?
Most companies are still trying to digitize their factories.
At Shield AI, we're building an AI-native manufacturing environment from the ground up.
The systems, technologies, and AI-enabled capabilities you deploy will directly influence how autonomous aircraft are manufactured for years to come, enabling Shield AI to scale production while maintaining the quality, speed, and operational excellence required for mission-critical aerospace systems.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Automation, or related technical discipline
- 8+ years experience in digital manufacturing, manufacturing systems, industrial automation, software-enabled operations, or Industry 4.0 environments
- Experience implementing manufacturing software systems (MES, QMS, maintenance, analytics, or automation platforms)
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, industrial controls, factory automation, and manufacturing data systems
- Experience working directly with software developers, system integrators, automation engineers, or data teams to deliver production-ready solutions
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives from concept through deployment
- Aerospace, defense, automotive, robotics, electronics, or other high-complexity manufacturing experience
- Experience supporting greenfield factory launches or large-scale factory transformations
- Experience applying AI, machine learning, advanced analytics, or digital twin technologies in an operational environment
- Knowledge of AS9100 or other highly controlled manufacturing systems
What the Team is Saying
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage includes medical, dental, vision, and mental-health support, with company materials describing excellent coverage. Feedback suggests these offerings are comprehensive and consistently highlighted across official and third-party benefit lists.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity is granted to all full-time hires, with RSU structures and tools like Carta Tax intended to improve understanding and tax timing. Feedback suggests this broad-based ownership approach is a notable component of total rewards.
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Parental & Family Support — Benefits include paid parental leave, fertility support, childcare benefits, family medical leave, and onsite resources such as a Mother's Room. Feedback suggests the family-oriented offerings are more expansive than basic coverage.
Shield AI Insights
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 Teams
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Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
