Staff Engineer, Digital Factory Lead (R5265)

Shield AI•Seattle, WA

About The Position

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company focused on protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. The company is building an AI-native manufacturing ecosystem to define the future of aerospace production. This role is crucial in creating one of the world's most advanced manufacturing environments, sitting at the intersection of manufacturing, software, data, automation, and artificial intelligence. The Digital Factory Lead will define and deploy the digital systems, connected infrastructure, and AI-enabled tools to power aircraft production and transform factory operations through technology, from implementing the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to deploying AI-powered manufacturing solutions.

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 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.

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 an operational environment.
Knowledge of AS9100, or other highly controlled manufacturing systems.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.