# Staff Engineer, Digital Factory Lead

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** Seattle, WA
**Role:** DevOps / SRE
**Salary:** $150k – $230k/yr
**Experience:** 8+ years
**Skills:** AI, Machine Learning, Mes, Qms, ERP, Plm, Industrial Automation, Industrial Controls, Plc, Machine Vision, Digital Twins, Advanced Analytics, Predictive Maintenance, As9100, Manufacturing Data Systems
**Posted:** 2026-09-02

> Leads the design and deployment of AI-enabled manufacturing systems, MES, connected-factory infrastructure, and automation for aircraft production. Requires a bachelor’s degree and 8+ years of experience in digital manufacturing, industrial automation, or software-enabled operations.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Develop and execute an AI manufacturing roadmap.
- Identify opportunities to apply AI across production, quality, maintenance, supply chain, training, and operational decision-making.
- Deploy AI-enabled solutions such as 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.
- Lead deployment, configuration, and continuous improvement of a Manufacturing Execution System (MES).
- Establish a digital thread connecting engineering, production, quality, maintenance, and supply chain operations.
- Integrate MES with ERP, PLM, QMS, factory automation systems, and manufacturing equipment.
- Define and deploy digital architecture for production equipment, tooling, test systems, PLCs, sensors, and industrial controls.
- Establish factory-wide connectivity and real-time operational visibility.
- Develop the data ecosystem supporting AI, automation, analytics, and autonomous manufacturing.
- Develop and execute a Digital Factory roadmap.
- Lead automation initiatives across manufacturing, inspection, testing, and material flow.
- Evaluate machine vision, digital twins, autonomous inspection, and next-generation manufacturing systems.
- Lead complex cross-functional initiatives from concept through deployment.

## Requirements
- 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 with software developers, system integrators, automation engineers, or data teams to deliver production-ready solutions.

## Nice-to-haves
- 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 operational environments.
- Knowledge of AS9100 or other highly controlled manufacturing systems.

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