Associate Engineer, Manufacturing

BlackCube Labs; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI seeks an Associate Manufacturing Engineer to support development, implementation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes for next‑generation aerospace systems. You will collaborate with Design Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to transition products from design into production while supporting prototype builds, NPI, and ramp-up.

The role covers airframe structures, electrical, propulsion, mechanical, avionics, final integration, or ground support

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes for assigned products or aircraft systems.
• Design and improve assembly tools, fixtures, jigs, and manufacturing aids to support safe, repeatable, and efficient production.
• Create and maintain work instructions, manufacturing process documentation, SOPs, and process flows.
• Partner with Design Engineering to improve manufacturability, assembly efficiency, quality, and cost through DFM/DFA.
• Support prototype builds, engineering builds, production readiness activities, and new product introductions.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing issues using root cause analysis and implement CAPA.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and IE to improve safety, quality, throughput, and productivity.
• Support tooling validation, first article inspections, process qualification, and production validation activities.
• Utilize CAD software to develop tooling concepts, manufacturing layouts, and production support equipment.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing waste, improving quality, and increasing manufacturing efficiency.
• Ensure manufacturing processes comply with engineering requirements, quality standards, and company procedures.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Troubleshooting

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field

Tools

CATIA

Siemens NX

SolidWorks

Creo

Job description

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, V-BAT and X-BATaircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. 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, visitwww.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI onLinkedIn,X,Instagram, andYouTube.

Job Description:

We are seeking a motivatedAssociateManufacturing Engineer to support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes for next-generation aerospace systems. In this role, you will partner with Design Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to transition products from design into production while supporting prototype builds, new product introduction (NPI), and production ramp-up.

This position may support one or moreaircraftsystems, including airframe structures, electrical systems, propulsion, mechanical systems, avionics, final integration, or ground support equipment. The ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver who enjoys working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and contributing to the production of advanced aerospace products.

What you'll do:

• Develop, implement, andoptimizemanufacturing processes for assigned products oraircraftsystems.

• Design and improve assembly tools, fixtures, jigs, and manufacturing aids to support safe, repeatable, and efficient production.

• Create andmaintainwork instructions, manufacturing process documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and process flows.

• Partner with Design Engineering to improve manufacturability, assembly efficiency, quality, and cost through Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA).

• Support prototype builds, engineering builds, production readiness activities, and new product introductions.

• Troubleshootmanufacturing issues using root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

• Collaborate with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Industrial Engineering to improve safety, quality, throughput, and productivity.

• Support tooling validation, first article inspections, process qualification, and production validation activities.

• Utilize CAD software to develop tooling concepts, manufacturing layouts, and production support equipment.

• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing waste, improving quality, and increasing manufacturing efficiency.

• Ensure manufacturing processescomply withengineering requirements, quality standards, and company procedures.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

• 0–3 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, production engineering, process engineering, or a related field (internship and co-op experience considered).

• Understanding of manufacturing processes, assembly methods, and production operations.

• Familiarity with CAD software such as CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent.

• Basic understanding of engineering drawings, GD&T, and manufacturing documentation.

• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative manufacturing environment.

• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Preferred qualifications:

• Internship or professional experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, robotics, or advanced manufacturing.

• Experience supporting prototype builds, NPI, or production environments.

• Familiarity withmachining, composites, electrical assemblies, mechanical assemblies, or final system integration.

• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.

• Experience with ERP, MES, or PLM systems.

• Familiarity with AS9100 or other regulated manufacturing environments.

$105,000 - $160,000 a year

*Compensation for this role is based on the position’s work location. The salary range shown reflects the listed location and may vary if the position is based in a different geographic market. Actual compensation will also consider factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity.

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#LB

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 toequal 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.