Staff Production Engineering Specialist (R6041)
shieldai· Production
About this role
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.
Job Description:
Shield AI is seeking a highly capable Production Engineering Technician to oversee technician training, continuous improvement initiatives, and production analytics for the V-BAT production line. The role is responsible for developing workforce capability and establishing robust, data‑driven operational systems that enhance safety, quality, delivery performance, cost efficiency, and production scalability.
What you'll do:
- Own the VBAT production training program, including onboarding, role-based training, cross-training, recertification, ongoing skills development, and technician qualification records.
- Develop and deliver effective classroom, workstation, and on-the-job training for assembly, production, and test processes; maintain skills matrices, on the job training assessments, and training readiness metrics.
- Continuously identify skill gaps, align training to current production needs, and assess effectiveness through observations, competency checks, audit results, technician feedback, and production performance.
- Lead continuous-improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing principles—including 5S, visual management, standard work, root-cause analysis, waste reduction, and flow optimization—to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
- Use production, quality, and training data to identify and help resolve bottlenecks, cycle-time variation, recurring defects, rework, material-flow issues, equipment downtime, ergonomic risks, and workforce capability gaps.
- Own the CCAR process and lead the Manufacturing Council, creating a responsive closed-loop system that turns technician feedback and shop-floor opportunities into prioritized, implemented, verified, and sustained improvements.
- Build a data-driven operating model for the VBAT production team by establishing standardized performance metrics, reporting cadences, and visual management routines that enable timely, data-driven decisions.
- Develop and maintain daily, weekly, and monthly dashboards tracking output versus plan, throughput, first-pass yield, defects and rework, cycle time, downtime, labor efficiency, training completion, and cross-training coverage.
- Analyze production capacity, staffing, and improvement impact using takt time, labor content, workstation capacity, skills readiness, and before-and-after performance data to support production-ramp planning and sustain measurable gains.
Training
Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement
Data Analytics
Required qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in Industrial or Systems Engineer, or Data Analytics; equivalent technical experience in avionics or aerospace production will be considered.
- 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing or technical support role, preferably within aerospace, defense, UAS, or other complex hardware manufacturing environments.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, highly dynamic environment with evolving priorities.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
- U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain a security clearance.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with data visualization tools, such as Power BI, Palantir, Tableau, Cognos, and/or Microsoft Access.
- Proficiency in Lean Manufacturing principles, including 5S, visual management, standard work, root‑cause analysis, waste reduction, and flow optimization.
- Ability to translate technician feedback and production challenges into structured problem-solving activities.
- Experience operating, maintaining, and facilitating training programs and performance across large scale operations and organizations.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to train and influence technicians, supervisors, and cross-functional stakeholders.
#LI-JM1
#LD
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the Staff Production Engineering Specialist (R6041) role at shieldai?
The listed salary for this Staff Production Engineering Specialist (R6041) position at shieldai is USD 42–63. This is an Full Time Employee role.
Where is the Staff Production Engineering Specialist (R6041) position at shieldai located?
This Staff Production Engineering Specialist (R6041) role at shieldai is based in Dallas, Texas. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the Staff Production Engineering Specialist (R6041) role at shieldai full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a Full Time Employee position. It is posted as a Staff Production Engineering Specialist (R6041) role in the Production department at shieldai.
Which team or department does the Staff Production Engineering Specialist (R6041) at shieldai belong to?
This Staff Production Engineering Specialist (R6041) position is part of the Production department at shieldai. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Staff Production Engineering Specialist (R6041) position at shieldai?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to shieldai's official application portal hosted on lever where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Staff Production Engineering Specialist (R6041) job at shieldai posted?
This Staff Production Engineering Specialist (R6041) position at shieldai was posted on Sep 24, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Staff Production Engineering Specialist (R6041)
shieldai · 💰 USD 42–63
You'll be redirected to shieldai's official application page on Lever.