# Staff Engineer, Digital Factory Lead

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** Dallas, TX
**Role:** Other
**Salary:** $140k – $210k/yr
**Experience:** 8+ years
**Skills:** Mes, Ai Manufacturing, Digital Twin, Industrial Automation, Plm, ERP, Qms, Machine Vision, Predictive Maintenance, Industry 4.0, Manufacturing Execution Systems, Plc, Digital Thread
**Posted:** 2026-07-15

> Lead the development and deployment of an AI-native Digital Factory at Shield AI, including MES implementation, AI-powered manufacturing tools, connected infrastructure, and automation initiatives to transform aerospace production.

## Job Description

## What you'll do

### AI-Enabled Manufacturing
- Develop and execute Shield AI's AI Manufacturing roadmap.
- Identify opportunities to leverage AI across production, quality, maintenance, supply chain, training, and operational decision-making.
- Deploy AI-powered solutions including intelligent work instructions, manufacturing copilots, predictive maintenance, automated root-cause analysis, and advanced analytics.
- Partner with software and data teams to turn operational challenges into scalable technical solutions.
- Capture and digitize manufacturing knowledge to improve workforce productivity, training, and consistency.

### Digital Factory Systems
- Lead the deployment, configuration, and continuous improvement of Shield AI's Manufacturing Execution System (MES).
- Establish the digital thread connecting engineering, production, quality, maintenance, and supply chain operations.
- Drive integration between MES, ERP, PLM, QMS, factory automation systems, and manufacturing equipment.

### Connected Factory Infrastructure
- Define and deploy the digital architecture supporting production equipment, tooling, test systems, PLCs, sensors, and industrial controls.
- Establish factory-wide connectivity and real-time operational visibility.
- Develop the data ecosystem required to support AI, automation, analytics, and future autonomous manufacturing capabilities.

### Factory Transformation
- Develop and execute Shield AI's Digital Factory roadmap.
- Lead automation initiatives across manufacturing, inspection, testing, and material flow.
- Evaluate emerging technologies including machine vision, digital twins, autonomous inspection, and next-generation manufacturing systems.
- Help define what aircraft manufacturing should look like over the next decade.

## Required qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Automation, or a related technical discipline.
- 8+ years of experience in digital manufacturing, manufacturing systems, industrial automation, software-enabled operations, or Industry 4.0 environments.
- Experience implementing manufacturing software systems such as MES, QMS, maintenance, analytics, or automation platforms.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, industrial controls, factory automation, and manufacturing data systems.
- Experience working directly with software developers, system integrators, automation engineers, or data teams to deliver production-ready solutions.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives from concept through deployment.

## Preferred qualifications
- Aerospace, defense, automotive, robotics, electronics, or other high-complexity manufacturing experience.
- Experience supporting greenfield factory launches or large-scale factory transformations.
- Experience applying AI, machine learning, advanced analytics, or digital twin technologies in an operational environment.
- Knowledge of AS9100, or other highly controlled manufacturing systems.

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