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Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.
The Role
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent, autonomous systems. Its products include Hivemind Enterprise—EdgeOS, Pilot, Commander, and Forge—as well as V-BAT and Sentient Vision Systems (wide-area motion imaging software). With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI’s technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X and Instagram.
Job Description:
We are seeking a highly skilled Staff Manufacturing Engineer to support the fabrication and assembly of advanced composite airframes for next-generation aircraft. This role is integral to building prototypes, designing assembly tools and fixtures, and developing/optimizing manufacturing processes for the efficient production of high-performance aircraft structures. The ideal candidate will have experience in airframe fabrication and assembly.
What You'll Do:
- Develop and implement composite airframe assembly processes for advanced aerospace structures.
- Design and optimize assembly tools, fixtures, and jigs to support high-precision structural integration.
- Support the fabrication, trimming, drilling, fastening, and bonding of composite and metallic aircraft components.
- Define and document work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and process flow for production.
- Collaborate with design, quality, and production teams to ensure manufacturability and compliance with specifications.
- Utilize CAD software (CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, etc.) for tool and fixture design and analysis.
- Perform root cause analysis and corrective actions (RCCA) for manufacturing issues to improve efficiency and reduce defects.
- Ensure compliance with aerospace industry standards (AS9100, NADCAP, MIL-STD, etc.) and company policies.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
- 7+ years of experience in composite airframe manufacturing, assembly, or tooling design.
- Strong understanding of composite materials, layup processes, curing, and bonding techniques.
- Expertise in aircraft structure assembly with knowledge of fastening, drilling, and tolerance stack-up.
- Proficiency in CAD software (CATIA V5, Siemens NX, 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 (Design for Manufacturability & Assembly) principles.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced, high-security environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior experience in military aircraft programs (F-35, B-21, F/A-18, F-22, etc.).
- Background in robotic automation, additive manufacturing, or digital twin applications.
- Active security clearance or ability to obtain one.
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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.
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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.
What the Team is Saying
Dylan
Lead Engineer, Planning and Controls-Motion
Mo
Lead Engineer, Platform Automation
Willy
Technical Director
Michael
Engineering Manager - State Estimation
Vibhav
Senior Staff Engineer
Kirby
Mechanical Engineer
Ryan
CEO
Evan
Senior Machine Learning Engineer
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.
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The Company
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
Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Typical time on-site:
3 days a week
