Staff Supplier Dev Engineer - Aerospace (Equity)

Shield AI; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Bonus program

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a senior supplier development engineer to lead welding and large-structure supplier programs. You will drive capability assessments, manufacturing readiness, and process improvements for aerospace-grade components, including welds, sheet metal, and assembly tooling.

You will partner with Engineering and Strategic Sourcing to select high-performing suppliers, ensure quality and schedule targets, and mentor junior team members while traveling to supplier sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical field.
• 7+ years in supplier development, manufacturing or welding within regulated aerospace/defense environments.
• Experience resolving complex manufacturing, quality, capacity, or delivery issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier development and weld-assembly improvement for large metallic structures.
• Assess supplier capabilities in welding, sheet metal forming, fabrication, and inspection.
• Conduct capability assessments, readiness reviews, process audits, and capacity analyses.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Strategic Sourcing to select capable suppliers.
• Serve as primary technical interface between suppliers and internal teams.
• Drive supplier industrialization, tooling readiness, and production ramp-up.
• Review drawings, GD&T, weld symbols, BOMs, and special-process requirements.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100, AS9102, and customer requirements.

Skills

GTAW/TIG welding

GMAW/MIG welding

NDT inspection methods

Root-cause analysis

Process validation

First Article Inspection (AS9102)

PFMEA / control plans

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Aerospace/Welding/Industrial Engineering

Tools

AS9100 knowledge

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a senior supplier development engineer to lead welding and large-structure supplier programs. You will drive capability assessments, manufacturing readiness, and process improvements for aerospace-grade components, including welds, sheet metal, and assembly tooling.

You will partner with Engineering and Strategic Sourcing to select high-performing suppliers, ensure quality and schedule targets, and mentor junior team members while traveling to supplier sites as needed.