Staff Propulsion Manufacturing Engineer - Aerospace

Shield; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI seeks a Staff Propulsion Systems Manufacturing Engineer to lead manufacturing engineering for propulsion and fluid systems in aerospace/defense hardware. You will drive production-ready processes, toolings, and work flows, partnering with design to improve manufacturability and reliability, while mentoring junior engineers.

The role emphasizes root-cause analysis and DFM/DFA implementation. Ideal candidates bring 7+ years in propulsion/fluids manufacturing, a relevant bachelor’s

Qualifications

• 7+ years of manufacturing engineering experience supporting propulsion or fluid systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing.
• Prototype manufacturing experience in startup or rapid-growth environment.
• Experience with engine assembly, fuel/oil systems, propulsion hardware.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Knowledge of manufacturing process development and production scaling.
• Strong understanding of DFM/DFA principles and root-cause methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing engineering support for propulsion and fluid system assemblies.
• Develop and optimize processes, tooling, work instructions, production flows.
• Collaborate with design to improve manufacturability, reliability, testability, producibility.
• Drive root cause investigations and corrective actions for propulsion issues.
• Develop work instructions, quality standards, inspection methods.
• Support supplier qualification, process validation, and production readiness reviews.
• Lead DFM/DFA reviews and transition products to manufacturing.
• Support system integration, validation, and troubleshooting activities.
• Define manufacturing standards, process controls, and acceptance criteria.
• Support failure analysis and reliability improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with production, quality, supply chain, and test engineering teams.
• Mentor junior manufacturing engineers.

Skills

Propulsion manufacturing

Fluid systems

DFM/DFA principles

Root cause analysis

Project management

Lean manufacturing

Adaptability to fast pace

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

3DEXPERIENCE / Teamcenter (PLM) systems

MES & QMS systems

CAD software

Job description

Shield AI seeks a Staff Propulsion Systems Manufacturing Engineer to lead manufacturing engineering for propulsion and fluid systems in aerospace/defense hardware. You will drive production-ready processes, toolings, and work flows, partnering with design to improve manufacturability and reliability, while mentoring junior engineers.

The role emphasizes root-cause analysis and DFM/DFA implementation. Ideal candidates bring 7+ years in propulsion/fluids manufacturing, a relevant bachelor’s