Supplier Development Engineer, Mechanical (R4712)

The Rundown AI, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity options

Job summary

A leading aerospace technology firm based in Texas is looking for a Supplier Development Engineer to join their team. This role involves improving supplier performance and ensuring quality standards in machined parts. Candidates should have over 7 years of experience in supply chain and manufacturing engineering, be proficient in CAD tools, and possess strong analytical skills. This position offers a competitive salary with bonus opportunities and involves up to 50% travel.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in supply chain or manufacturing engineering.
• Proficient in CAD tools such as SolidWorks, NX, or CATIA.
• Strong data analysis skills and experience with Excel.
• Ability to read drawings and GD&T confidently.
• Experience with root cause investigations (8D, 5 Whys).
• Familiarity with machining, welding, or forming processes.
• Led root cause investigations (8D, 5 Whys).
• Experience working with suppliers or production lines.

Responsibilities

• Audit supplier processes to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Conduct on-site audits to resolve quality issues.
• Assess and enhance supplier capabilities and performance.
• Provide technical support on part specifications and quality standards.
• Monitor and analyze supplier performance metrics.
• Mitigate supply chain risks to ensure production continuity.
• Support new product introductions by meeting quality requirements.

Skills

Supply chain management

Quality engineering

Process improvement

Data analysis

CAD proficiency

Risk management

PLM or ERP systems

Travel up to 50%

Supplier collaboration

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

CATIA

Excel

PLM

ERP systems

Job description

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture‑backed deep‑tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V‑BAT and X‑BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the 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.

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/scaling, supporting the onboarding of suppliers to new designs, and delivering on our mission to deliver affordable and autonomous mass at scale.

What you'll do:

• 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

Required 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

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 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.