Staff Engineer, Ground Vehicle Advance Manufacturing

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 seeking a Staff Ground Vehicle Advance  uyoiypoiManufacturing Engineer to support the development and production of advanced ground mobility and vehicle systems. This role focuses on mechanical and integrated systems including chassis, suspension, braking, hydraulics, pneumatics, and mobility platforms.  The ideal candidate has strong experience in automotive, heavy vehicle, or defense vehicle manufacturing environments and is comfortable supporting both prototype and production operations. What you'll do: Lead manufacturing engineering activities for vehicle and mobility systems   Develop and optimize manufacturing processes, tooling, work instructions, and production flows for:  Chassis and structural assemblies   Suspension and braking systems   Wheels, axles, and driveline components   Hydraulic and pneumatic systems   Trailer and mobility platforms   Support vehicle integration, testing, and production readiness activities   Partner with design engineering to improve manufacturability, reliability, testability, and producibility  Drive root cause investigations and corrective actions for manufacturing issues   Develop work instructions, quality standards, and inspection methods   Support supplier qualification, process validation, and production readiness reviews  Lead DFM/DFA reviews and transition new products into manufacturing  Define manufacturing standards, process controls, and acceptance criteria  Support failure analysis and reliability improvement initiatives  Collaborate with production, quality, supply chain, and test engineering teams  Mentor junior manufacturing engineers Tools & skills: MES & QMS systems 3DEXPERIENCE / Teamcenter (PLM) systems Supplier manufacturing processes 5S/visual management Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Required qualifications: 7+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in automotive, mobility, heavy equipment, or defense vehicle systems  Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field  Experience in prototype manufacturing in a startup or rapid-growth environment.  Experience with:   Vehicle integration and assembly   Hydraulics and pneumatics   Chassis and braking systems   Mechanical production systems  Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and adapt to changing priorities.  Knowledge of manufacturing process development and production scaling   Strong understanding of DFM/DFA principles   Experience with root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies Preferred qualifications: Automotive OEM, defense vehicle, or off-road vehicle experience   Experience supporting prototype-to-production transitions   Knowledge of welding, fabrication, and structural assembly processes   Familiarity with lean manufacturing and production optimization  Experience with ERP/MES systems and manufacturing data analysis  Strong project management skills, including experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines  Knowledge of quality standards, such as AS9100 or ISO 9001  Proficiency in CAD software #LI-JM1 #LD 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.