Supplier Development Engineer - Mechanical (R4561)

Shieldai; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a highly skilled Supplier Development Engineer to enhance supplier performance in Dallas, Texas. This role focuses on quality engineering and production process improvement in the aerospace industry. Key responsibilities include auditing supplier processes, conducting on-site quality audits, and supporting new product introductions.

The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of experience, proficiency in CAD software, and a strong understanding of manufacturing processes. Shield AI offers a competitive compensation package with benefits and equity.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of supply chain, manufacturing engineering, or process engineering.
• Ability to read drawings and GD&T confidently.
• Led root cause investigations using methodologies such as 8D or 5 Whys.

Responsibilities

• Audit and improve supplier processes to enhance cost, lead-times, and quality.
• Conduct on-site audits to address supplier quality issues.
• Track supplier performance metrics and implement improvement plans.

Skills

Supply chain management

Quality engineering

Production process improvement

Machining processes

CAD (SolidWorks, NX, CATIA)

Excel / data analysis

Tools

PLM or ERP systems

Job description

Founded in 2015, 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 and V‑BAT and X‑BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia‑Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Supplier Development Engineer to join Shield AI, focusing on machined parts. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in supplier development, quality engineering, production process improvement, and supply chain management within the aerospace industry. This role is critical in enhancing supplier performance by solving supplier challenges that impact quality, on‑time delivery, and scaling, supporting the onboarding of suppliers to new designs, and delivering on our mission to deliver affordable and autonomous mass at scale.

Responsibilities

• Process Improvement: Audit and embed into core supplier processes to understand improvement opportunities to cost, lead‑times, and quality
• Quality Assurance: Conduct on‑site audits to root cause supplier quality issues or performance challenges
• Supplier Development: Assess and improve supplier capabilities, ensuring alignment with engineering and operational priorities.
• Engineering Technical Support: Provide technical guidance to suppliers on part specifications, manufacturing processes and standards, and quality measures
• Supplier Performance Monitoring: Track and analyze supplier performance metrics, including delivery, quality, and cost. Implement corrective actions and continuous improvement plans as necessary.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks within the supply chain to ensure uninterrupted production and delivery of components
• New Product Introduction (NPI): Support the introduction of new products by ensuring suppliers meet all quality and delivery requirements during the development phase

Qualifications

• 7 plus years of supply chain, manufacturing engineering, process engineering
• CAD (SolidWorks, NX, CATIA, etc.)
• Excel / data analysis
• PLM or ERP systems
• Travel up to 50%
• Can read drawings + GD&T confidently
• Understand machining/welding/forming processes
• Led root cause investigations (8D, 5 Whys)
• Worked with suppliers or production lines

Compensation

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)

Legal Notice

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal 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.