Staff Engineer, Composite Advance Manufacturing

Shield AI; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Bonus

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI in Seattle seeks a Staff Composites Manufacturing Engineer to own critical processes across programs and drive throughput, cost reduction, and scale for a new jet production line. You will deploy capital equipment, tooling, and production systems, mentor engineers, and partner across engineering, supply chain, and production to integrate new technologies and raise manufacturing depth.

This is a cross-functional leadership role offering exposure to cutting-edge aerospace composites and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years in manufacturing engineering, with rapid growth experience.
• Proficient CAD in SolidWorks / NX / CATIA.
• Experience with CPD, Fibersim, and GSD.
• Experience scaling production in startups or fast-growth settings.
• Strong knowledge of composite manufacturing, machining, lamination, or assembly.
• Experience with Lean or Six Sigma.

Responsibilities

• Own design and optimization of high-impact manufacturing processes across programs.
• Scale up flagship product line balancing throughput, quality, and cost.
• Lead engineering efforts for launching a new production line for a larger jet.
• Define CPD/Fibersim definitions and producibility assessments for composites.
• Plan and deploy production infrastructure including equipment and tooling.
• Collaborate with vendors to source capital equipment and automation.
• Mentor engineers and production staff to build capability.
• Drive cross-functional initiatives to standardize and improve manufacturing at scale.

Skills

CAD software (Solidworks, NX, CATIA)

CPD / Fibersim / GSD

Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma

Startup scale-up production

Composite manufacturing processes

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

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, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

As a Staff Composites Manufacturing Engineer, you’ll take ownership of critical manufacturing processes across multiple programs, leading initiatives to increase throughput, reduce costs, and scale our operations. You’ll be instrumental in building out the infrastructure for a new production line supporting a next-generation jet, including selecting and deploying capital equipment, implementing hardware and software tools, and establishing robust production systems. Working across engineering, supply chain, and production, you’ll ensure smooth integration of new technologies and provide mentorship to other engineers. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on cross-functional impact, technical leadership, and factory-scale execution.

What You'll Do:

• Act as a technical leader across programs, owning the design and optimization of high-impact manufacturing processes.
• Drive the scale-up of our flagship product line, balancing throughput, quality, and cost.
• Lead the manufacturing engineering effort for launching a new production line for a larger and more capable jet.
• Develop CPD/Fibersim definitions & producibility assessments for composite parts.
• Scope and deploy critical production infrastructure, including manufacturing equipment, tooling, and hardware/software systems.
• Engage with vendors to source and integrate capital equipment, production tools, and automation systems.
• Mentor engineers and production personnel to build organizational capability and technical depth.
• Champion cross-functional initiatives that standardize and improve manufacturing performance at scale.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, or a related field, or relevant experience.
• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, with a focus in rapid growth environments.
• Proficiency in CAD software (Solidwork, NX, or CATIA).
• Experience with Composite Part Design (CPD), or Fibersim, and Generative Shape Design (GSD).
• Experience in owning the scale of production processes in a startup or rapid-growth environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing composites processes, including machining, lamination, and/or assembly.
• Experience with process improvement methodologies, such as Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and adapt to changing priorities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of quality standards, such as AS9100 or ISO 9001.
• Familiarity with advanced manufacturing technologies, such as additive manufacturing or automation systems.
• Knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and data-driven decision-making in a manufacturing context.
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing equipment and tooling design.
• Strong project management skills, including experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

$150,000 - $230,000 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.

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.

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.