Staff Quality Engineer (R5512)

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, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and 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 currently seeking a highly motivated Quality Engineer to support production operations for advanced unmanned aircraft systems. This role serves as the primary quality engineering resource for one or more manufacturing areas, partnering closely with Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and Design Engineering to ensure products consistently meet customer, regulatory, and company quality requirements.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver with strong analytical skills and a passion for building robust manufacturing processes. This individual will lead root cause investigations, improve production quality, reduce defects and rework, support Material Review Board (MRB) activities, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that increase first-pass yield and manufacturing efficiency.

Production Quality Support
• Serve as the primary Quality Engineering representative for assigned manufacturing areas.
• Partner with Production and Manufacturing Engineering to ensure manufacturing processes consistently produce conforming product.
• Provide daily support for production quality issues, helping remove quality-related barriers to manufacturing.
• Evaluate production trends and identify opportunities to improve quality, throughput, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Participate in daily production meetings and escalation activities.
Nonconformance & MRB
• Review and disposition nonconforming material in accordance with company procedures and engineering requirements.
• Lead or support Material Review Board (MRB) activities.
• Coordinate with Design Engineering to develop repair, rework, or use-as-is dispositions when appropriate.
• Ensure timely closure of nonconformance reports while maintaining product integrity and regulatory compliance.
• Identify recurring nonconformances and implement corrective actions to eliminate repeat issues.
Root Cause & Corrective Action
• Lead structured root cause investigations using methodologies such as 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, or Fault Tree Analysis.
• Develop, implement, and verify corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Monitor corrective action effectiveness using quality metrics and trend analysis.
• Facilitate cross-functional problem-solving teams to resolve complex manufacturing issues.
Process Improvement
• Develop and implement process controls that improve manufacturing capability and product quality.
• Support Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Control Plans, and risk assessments.
• Validate manufacturing process changes to ensure quality requirements continue to be met.
• Reduce Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), scrap, rework, and repair through data-driven improvements.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives.
Production Readiness
• Review engineering changes and assess manufacturing quality impacts.
• Participate in design reviews to improve manufacturability and inspectability.
• Support introduction of new products into production.
• Develop inspection strategies and acceptance criteria for new assemblies and components.
• Support First Article Inspection (FAI) planning and execution in accordance with AS9102.
Quality Management System
• Ensure compliance with AS9100, customer requirements, and internal quality procedures.
• Develop and maintain quality documentation including inspection plans, quality procedures, and work instructions.
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits.
• Develop quality metrics and dashboards to monitor manufacturing performance.
• Train manufacturing personnel on quality standards, workmanship requirements, and defect prevention.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in manufacturing quality engineering, aerospace manufacturing, or related industry.
• Experience supporting production operations in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience with statistical analysis, data interpretation, and quality metrics.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple issues in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or UAV manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 requirements.
• Experience with Material Review Board (MRB) processes and nonconformance management.
• Experience with PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Validation, and Statistical Process Control (SPC).
• Knowledge of APQP, Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), and risk-based quality planning.

#LC
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.