Senior Component Engineer

About the role

Shield AI is building its next-generation XBAT aircraft and is hiring one of its first Component Engineers in Seattle. As a foundational hire, you will define process, tooling and standards rather than follow an existing playbook, guiding component selection and owning the qualification and lifecycle management of electrical, electronic and electromechanical (EEE) parts used on aircraft PCBAs. The role sits at the intersection of engineering, supply chain and reliability.

Key responsibilities

• Establish and scale component engineering processes, tools and standards as one of the function's first dedicated hires
• Define baseline quality and certification requirements for EEE components across the XBAT aircraft
• Qualify and up-screen EEE components for aerospace applications, driving environmental and bench-top testing
• Own component data and governance in PLM and the ECAD part library, including lifecycle status and approved vendor list
• Contribute to component failure analysis and root cause efforts
• Monitor and assess PCNs and lifecycle changes (NRND/EOL) and drive mitigation actions
• Support supply chain with alternate part evaluations and second-sourcing strategies
• Engage directly with suppliers to resolve technical questions

Required profile

• B.S. in engineering, physics or materials science
• 5+ years of relevant experience
• Deep knowledge of EEE components
• Strong judgment in balancing performance, cost and supply chain risk
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical discussions and influence design decisions across engineering, supply chain and program teams, including in fast-moving environments without an established playbook

Required skills

• Product Lifecycle Management and ECAD tools and structured component libraries
• Preferred: experience building or scaling a component engineering function in a startup or fast-growth environment
• Preferred: familiarity with component qualification processes such as AEC-Q, NASA, JEDEC and MIL
• Preferred: knowledge of electrical component manufacturing processes and common failure modes, and experience writing specifications and standards for internal distribution