--- title: 'Associate Engineer, Manufacturing at Shield AI' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/associate-engineer-manufacturing-shield-ai-dallas-kj40t94846p9' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-12' --- # Associate Engineer, Manufacturing at Shield AI - **Company:** Shield AI - **Location:** Dallas, TX - **Compensation:** $85k–$127k - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-01-12 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/shieldai/78842190-deba-4864-9ef9-272009cb15a4 ## Job description 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 motivated Associate Manufacturing Engineer to support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes for next-generation aerospace systems. In this role, you will partner with Design Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to transition products from design into production while supporting prototype builds, new product introduction (NPI), and production ramp-up. This position may support one or more aircraft systems, including airframe structures, electrical systems, propulsion, mechanical systems, avionics, final integration, or ground support equipment. The ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver who enjoys working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and contributing to the production of advanced aerospace products. What you'll do: - Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes for assigned products or aircraft systems. - Design and improve assembly tools, fixtures, jigs, and manufacturing aids to support safe, repeatable, and efficient production. - Create and maintain work instructions, manufacturing process documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and process flows. - Partner with Design Engineering to improve manufacturability, assembly efficiency, quality, and cost through Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA). - Support prototype builds, engineering builds, production readiness activities, and new product introductions. - Troubleshoot manufacturing issues using root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA). - Collaborate with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Industrial Engineering to improve safety, quality, throughput, and productivity. - Support tooling validation, first article inspections, process qualification, and production validation activities. - Utilize CAD software to develop tooling concepts, manufacturing layouts, and production support equipment. - Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing waste, improving quality, and increasing manufacturing efficiency. - Ensure manufacturing processes comply with engineering requirements, quality standards, and company procedures. Required qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline. - 0–3 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, production engineering, process engineering, or a related field (internship and co-op experience considered). - Understanding of manufacturing processes, assembly methods, and production operations. - Familiarity with CAD software such as CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent. - Basic understanding of engineering drawings, GD&T, and manufacturing documentation. - Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills. - Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative manufacturing environment. - Excellent communication and organizational skills. Preferred qualifications: - Internship or professional experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, robotics, or advanced manufacturing. - Experience supporting prototype builds, NPI, or production environments. - Familiarity with machining, composites, electrical assemblies, mechanical assemblies, or final system integration. - Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies. - Experience with ERP, MES, or PLM systems. - Familiarity with AS9100 or other regulated manufacturing environments. ## #LI-JM1 #LB 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. ## About Shield AI ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Shield AI builds AI pilots and autonomous systems for military aircraft to protect service members and civilians. - **Entity Type**: Private (Series G, venture-backed) - **Headquarters**: San Diego, California, United States - **Founded**: 2015 - **Founders**: Brandon Tseng, Ryan Tseng, Andrew Reiter ## Core Business - Primary industry/industries: Defense technology, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, aerospace - Target customers: U.S. Department of Defense, allied nations’ military forces (B2G / Government) - Mission or purpose statement: “Protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.” ## Products & Services - **Hivemind**: A combat‑tested, modular autonomy stack for aircraft – self‑driving technology for drones, jets, and helicopters. Includes path‑planning, mapping, state‑estimation, computer vision, and reinforcement learning. Type: Software (AI/autonomy). - **V‑BAT**: A vertical take‑off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed for persistent ISR and strike missions. Type: Hardware (drone). - **X‑BAT**: An advanced unmanned aircraft system with extended endurance and payload capacity, built for multi‑domain operations. Type: Hardware (drone). - **Hivemind Vision Systems**: Computer‑vision and sensor‑fusion capabilities integrated into Hivemind for GPS‑denied environments. Type: Software + sensors. - **Hivemind Enterprise**: A deployable version of Hivemind for third‑party platforms and commercial applications. Type: Software. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private company). Total funding raised: $3.6B (as of Series G in March 2026). - **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue ~$21.7M (estimated, private) | Total Funding $3.6B (including $2B Series G led by JP Morgan Chase and Advent International, March 2026). - **Notable Investors/Partners**: JP Morgan Chase, Advent International, Blackstone, Riot Ventures, SnowPoint Ventures, Disruptive (55+ investors total). Strategic partners include U.S. DoD and allied defense forces. - **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 68.3% YoY to 1,283 employees; 338 active job postings (+57.2% YoY); operates in 5 countries (U.S., Australia, UAE, Norway, Ukraine); recent acquisitions of Sentient Vision Systems (2024), Heron Systems, MARTIN UAV. ## Competitive Advantages - **Combat‑proven autonomy**: Hivemind has been tested in live military operations, providing a first‑mover advantage in contested, GPS‑denied environments. - **Full‑stack integration**: Combines software (AI pilot), hardware (V‑BAT, X‑BAT), and sensor systems, creating a tightly integrated product ecosystem. - **Cross‑functional engineering culture**: Engineers work across AI, robotics, aerospace, and defense – not siloed – enabling rapid iteration and field deployment. - **Top talent pipeline**: Employees drawn from Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Amazon, Anduril, and other leading defense/tech firms. ## Strategic Focus - **Scale AI pilots across all domains**: Extend Hivemind from aircraft to ships, satellites, and ground vehicles (“every military asset”). - **International expansion**: Growing presence in Australia, Europe, and Middle East via mission autonomy centers and partnerships. - **Deepen autonomy stack**: Continued investment in reinforcement learning, simulation, and computer vision to maintain leadership in contested‑environment autonomy. ## Why Work Here - **Mission‑driven work**: Directly contribute to protecting service members and civilians with cutting‑edge AI and robotics. - **Cross‑functional teams**: Engineers collaborate across disciplines (AI, hardware, software, systems) on real‑world defense challenges. - **Benefits**: Excellent medical coverage, mental health EAP, paid parental leave, pet insurance, flexible work hours, gym discounts (SD) / on‑site gym (DC), free parking, competitive compensation, 401k with match, stock benefits. - **Work policy**: Flexible work hours; some offices (e.g., San Diego HQ, Arlington, DC) have on‑site facilities. Remote/hybrid options available depending on role. - **Growth trajectory**: Rapidly scaling (68% headcount growth) with hundreds of open roles across engineering, operations, and program management. ## Sources 1. [shield.ai/about](https://shield.ai/about/) 2. [shield.ai/careers](https://shield.ai/careers/) 3. [LinkedIn – Shield AI](https://www.linkedin.com/company/shield-ai) 4. [CBInsights – Shield AI](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/shield-ai) 5. [Lever – Shield AI Jobs](https://jobs.lever.co/shieldai) ## Other roles at Shield AI - [Senior V-BAT Air Vehicle Operator, Field Integration and Test (R5130)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-v-bat-air-vehicle-operator-field-integration-and-test-r5130-shield-ai-8ychv8kkv7qh) — Dallas, TX - [Staff Platform Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-platform-engineer-shield-ai-san-diego-t739q0cnehtg) — San Diego, CA - [Principal Engineer, Fluid & Thermal Systems (R5620)](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-engineer-fluid-thermal-systems-r5620-shield-ai-seattle-jzpbwfsaek36) — Seattle, WA - [Director, Mission Systems](https://feeny.ai/job/director-mission-systems-shield-ai-washington-96nmd081cj08) — Washington, DC - [Staff Engineer, Safety - X-BAT (R5844)](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-engineer-safety-x-bat-r5844-shield-ai-seattle-qmh74thwt7xs) — Seattle, WA - [Senior Production Planner, Development Programs (R5277)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-production-planner-development-programs-r5277-shield-ai-seattle-nj57x3fgq8b7) — Seattle, WA - [Mission Systems Software Engineer (R5888)](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-systems-software-engineer-r5888-shield-ai-seattle-yw43sjwwgsn0) — Seattle, WA - [Field Marketing Manager, India](https://feeny.ai/job/field-marketing-manager-india-shield-ai-delhi-4y6c5baq31qg) — Delhi, India - [Senior Staff Engineer, Mission Architect (R5876)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-staff-engineer-mission-architect-r5876-shield-ai-washington-5ftkg2h8j234) — Washington, DC - [Engineer II, Future Concepts (R5910)](https://feeny.ai/job/engineer-ii-future-concepts-r5910-shield-ai-washington-p66bm4ktv41m) — Washington, DC