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
