Develop and qualify materials and manufacturing processes for flight-critical autonomous aircraft hardware. Maintain material, process, and QA specifications; guide fatigue and corrosion prevention; support environmental qualification testing; design qualification test plans; collaborate with suppliers and multifunctional teams; assist with nonconformance disposition; and select materials and processes for production.
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.
Shield AI is seeking a Staff Materials & Processes Engineer to support the development and production of our next-generation autonomous aircraft. As a key contributor on the Mechanical Engineering team, you will develop, qualify, and implement materials and manufacturing processes for flight-critical hardware from concept through production.
You’ll work cross-functionally to ensure material performance, process control, manufacturability, and compliance across one of the most advanced autonomous aircraft platforms being built today. This role is ideal for an aerospace materials engineer who thrives in hands-on development environments and is eager to take technical ownership of complex materials and process challenges.
What you'll do:
- Develop and maintain material specification database
- Develop and maintain manufacturing process specifications
- Provide guidance for fatigue and corrosion prevention
- Support environmental qualification testing
- Design and implement test plans in support of material, component, and process qualification
- Develop and maintain QA inspection process specifications
- Work with suppliers to ensure proper implementation of process specifications
- Assist with dispositioning of nonconformances
- Work with multifunctional teams for selection of materials and manufacturing processes
Required qualifications:
- Working knowledge of relevant industry standards including those pertaining to coupon and element level testing and material qualification
- Working knowledge of manufacturing processes (including composite layups, secondary bonding, heat treatment, welding, etc)
- Knowledge of material properties, methods for characterization, and failure mechanisms
- Experience with test design, test execution, and the derivation of material specifications from test results
- Experience with composite materials including prepreg systems and secondary bonding
- Works well in a collaborative setting
- Experience developing process specifications
- Experience working with multifunctional teams in a collaborative setting
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with fatigue testing
- Experience with DADT testing
- Experience with non-destructive inspection
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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.
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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.
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