Staff Engineer, Digital Factory Lead (R5265)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI is building an AI-native manufacturing ecosystem to craft autonomous aircraft at scale. The Digital Factory Lead will define and deploy digital systems, connected infrastructure, and AI-enabled tools across production to transform factory operations.

You will drive AI-powered solutions, lead MES deployments, and collaborate with software and data teams to deliver scalable, production-ready manufacturing capabilities for years to come.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years in digital manufacturing or Industry 4.0 environments.
• Experience implementing manufacturing software systems (MES, QMS, maintenance analytics, or automation).
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, factory automation, and data systems.
• Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives from concept to deployment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Shield AI's AI Manufacturing roadmap.
• Identify opportunities to apply AI across production, quality, maintenance, and supply chain.
• Deploy AI-powered solutions including intelligent work instructions, maintenance analytics, and predictive maintenance.
• Lead the deployment, configuration, and continuous improvement of MES and the digital thread across engineering to supply chain.
• Drive integration between MES, ERP, PLM, QMS, factory automation systems, and manufacturing equipment.
• Define the digital architecture supporting production equipment, tooling, and sensors.

Skills

Digital manufacturing

Manufacturing systems

Industrial automation

Software-enabled operations

Industry 4.0

Cross-functional leadership

MES

QMS

Automation platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

MES

QMS

ERP integration

Analytics software

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.

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:

AI-Enabled Manufacturing

• 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.

Digital Factory Systems

• 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.

Connected Factory Infrastructure

• 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.

Factory Transformation

• 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.

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$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.

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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 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.