# Staff Engineer, Advanced Manufacturing - Special Projects

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** Seattle, WA
**Role:** Hardware Engineering
**Salary:** $150k – $230k/yr
**Experience:** 7+ years
**Skills:** Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, Machining, Composites, Avionics, Assembly Engineering, Mes, Qms, Minitab, Excel, Statistical Process Control, Pfmea, CAD, Additive Manufacturing
**Posted:** 2026-09-02

> Leads manufacturing process development and factory-scale production systems for advanced aerospace programs, including a new jet production line. Requires 7+ years of manufacturing experience, a bachelor’s degree, and an active Top Secret clearance.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Own critical manufacturing processes across multiple programs, leading initiatives to increase throughput, reduce costs, and scale operations.
- Build infrastructure for a new production line supporting a next-generation jet, including selecting and deploying capital equipment, implementing hardware and software tools, and establishing production systems.
- Define the Bill of Process and manufacturing sequence for assigned subassemblies or cells.
- Map MBOMs to operations, tooling needs, and process controls.
- Build ergonomic workstations with height/reach zones, shadow boards, calibrated torque tools, ESD controls, and point-of-use materials.
- Create operator-ready work instructions with torque specifications, PPE, inspection points, and MES revision control.
- Conduct time studies, calculate takt time and cycle time, identify bottlenecks, and lead kaizen improvements.
- Establish standardized work, visual controls, job aids, and layered audit systems in collaboration with operators.
- Capture shop-floor lessons learned, defects, build issues, and tooling feedback; drive root-cause analysis and corrective action.
- Partner with Quality on in-process checks, error-proofing, and FAI readiness.
- Implement ECOs, validate process updates, and maintain work instructions.
- Collaborate across engineering, supply chain, production, and quality; mentor other engineers.

## Required Qualifications
- Current Top Secret clearance.
- 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 within a startup or rapid-growth environment.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, including machining, composites, avionics, and/or assembly.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and adapt to changing priorities.

## Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality standards.
- Proficiency with CAD software.
- Familiarity with additive manufacturing or automation systems.
- Hands-on experience with manufacturing equipment and tooling design.
- Strong project management skills, including managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

## Tools and Methods
- MES/QMS systems
- Torque analyzers
- Minitab
- Microsoft Excel
- Statistical process control (SPC)
- Capability analysis
- Design of experiments (DOE)
- Lean manufacturing
- 5S
- PFMEA
- Ergonomic assessment tools
- Control Plans
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

## Similar jobs

- [Staff Engineer, Power Electronics](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/9150e5b4-21a4-456e-ab9d-24feb4c9432e) - Shield AI - Dallas, TX - $150k – $230k/yr
- [Staff Process Controls Engineer - Networking and Systems Administration](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/18e7028a-5f78-42f1-bd25-ce73a2e5249e) - Mariana Minerals - Houston, TX - $150k – $190k/yr
- [Staff Instrumentation and Controls Engineer](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/504edffa-c52a-46f7-8e7a-cb620b28347e) - Mariana Minerals - Houston, TX - $150k – $190k/yr
- [Staff R&D Device Engineer](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/833bc819-a717-4e82-932e-294da13f8005) - Fab2 - Austin, TX - $150k – $210k/yr
- [Staff Engineer, Propulsion Systems Advance Manufacturing](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/d46d306b-5aac-405b-aee7-87560f97b668) - Shield AI - Seattle, WA - $150k – $230k/yr

**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/06e5c7b1-37c3-4235-a981-9de2b6c31045
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/06e5c7b1-37c3-4235-a981-9de2b6c31045