Staff Engineer, Advanced Manufacturing

About the role

Shield AI, a defense-tech company, is hiring a Staff Advanced Manufacturing Engineer in Seattle. You will own critical manufacturing processes across several programs, helping increase throughput, reduce costs and scale operations. You will also help build the infrastructure for a new production line for a next-generation jet, working with engineering, supply chain and production teams and mentoring other engineers.

Key responsibilities

• Define the bill of process and manufacturing sequence for assigned subassemblies or cells.
• Map MBOM to operations, tooling needs and process controls.
• Build ergonomic workstations with height/reach zones, shadow boards, calibrated torque tools, ESD controls and POU materials.
• Create visual, operator-ready work instructions with torque specs, PPE, inspection points and MES revision control.
• Run time studies, compute takt/CT, find bottlenecks and lead kaizen improvements.
• Set up standardized work, visual controls, job aids and layered audit systems, iterating with operators.
• Capture shop-floor lessons learned, defects and build issues, and drive root cause and corrective action.
• Partner with Quality on in-process checks, error-proofing and FAI readiness.
• Implement ECOs, validate process updates and keep work instructions current.

Required profile

• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, production systems, process development or assembly engineering.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Mechatronics or a related STEM field.
• Experience in prototype manufacturing in a startup or rapid-growth environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, including machining, composites, avionics and/or assembly.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and adapt to changing priorities.

Required skills

• MES/QMS systems, torque analyzers, Minitab/Excel (SPC, capability, DOE)
• Lean/5S, PFMEA, Control Plans, Standard Operating Procedures
• Ergonomic assessment tools
• Preferred: AS9100 or ISO 9001 knowledge, CAD proficiency, additive manufacturing or automation familiarity, hands-on equipment and tooling design experience, project management