Supports quality engineering throughout XBAT aerospace product development, including product risk management, design and manufacturing reviews, root cause analysis, nonconformance management, change control, verification and validation, First Article Inspection, audits, and quality documentation. Partners with engineering, manufacturing, test, supply chain, and program management teams to transition the product toward production while embedding quality into development processes.
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.
The Associate Quality Engineer supports Quality Engineering activities throughout the development of XBAT, a first-of-a-kind aerospace and defense product. This role partners closely with Design Engineering, Systems Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Test, Supply Chain, and Program Management to identify and mitigate product and process risks as the product moves from development toward production.
This role will help establish quality into the product development process rather than relying on inspection to detect problems after the fact. The role provides hands-on support for risk management, root cause analysis, verification and validation activities, configuration and change control, nonconformance management, and development process compliance.
This is an early-career engineering role with significant opportunity to develop expertise in aerospace product development, quality engineering, and product assurance.
What you'll do:
- Support Quality Engineering activities across the XBAT product development lifecycle.
- Partner with Design Engineering to identify product risks and establish appropriate controls.
- Participate in design reviews, manufacturing readiness reviews, test reviews, and other development milestones from a quality perspective.
- Support investigation and root cause analysis of prototype, test, and manufacturing failures.
- Lead or support RCCA activities using structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Support management of nonconforming material and prototype hardware, including containment, investigation, disposition, and documentation.
- Evaluate engineering and manufacturing changes for quality risks and support implementation of appropriate verification activities.
- Support development of inspection, test, and verification strategies based on product risk.
- Support First Article Inspection and other product verification activities as XBAT transitions toward production.
- Support audits and assessments of XBAT development processes against AS9100, customer, contractual, and program requirements.
- Develop and maintain quality documentation, procedures, checklists, and objective evidence.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- 0–3 years of engineering, quality, manufacturing, test, or related experience.
Preferred qualifications:
- Internship, co-op, or project experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, robotics, electronics, or other complex product development.
- Familiarity with AS9100 or other aerospace/quality management systems.
- Experience with root cause analysis, 8D, RCCA, CAPA, DMAIC, or similar methodologies.
- Familiarity with FMEA, risk management, or reliability engineering.
- Experience participating in design reviews, test activities, or product development projects.
- Understanding of configuration management and engineering change processes.
- Familiarity with GD&T and engineering drawings.
#LI-JM1
#LA
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.
###
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.
Similar Jobs at Shield AI
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Design PCB layouts for complex digital, analog, RF, high-speed, and power electronics used in aircraft. Responsibilities include stack-up planning, schematic interpretation, component placement, routing, signal and power integrity, thermal and EMI mitigation, design reviews, manufacturing documentation, and DFM collaboration with vendors and manufacturing engineers.
Top Skills:
Controlled-Impedance RoutingDifferential PairsEmi MitigationGerberIpc-2221Ipc-2222Ipc-7351Odb++PcbPcb LayoutPcb Stack-UpPcbaPower IntegritySignal Integrity
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Lead aircraft reliability engineering across development, integration, testing, and operations. Establish reliability requirements and budgets, perform predictions and analyses including FMEA, FTA, RBD, and Weibull analysis, manage FRACAS and reliability growth activities, analyze test and field data, assess supplier performance, and recommend design improvements. Communicate reliability risks and metrics to engineering leadership and customers while mentoring junior engineers and improving organizational processes.
Top Skills:
Aerospace SystemsEprdFault Tree AnalysisFmeaFmecaFracasIsographMil-Hdbk-217Model-Based Systems EngineeringMtbcfMtbfNprdRam CommanderReliability Block DiagramsReliability EngineeringReliasoftRequirements Management ToolsRiac 217PlusWeibull AnalysisWindchill Quality Solutions
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Performs structural analysis and testing for advanced UAV airframes and components. Builds finite element models, conducts static, modal, fatigue, vibration, and shock analyses, validates results through hand calculations, and analyzes telemetry and test data. Collaborates with engineering teams to optimize lightweight composite and metallic structures for strength, weight, safety, and manufacturability. Documents technical findings and supports structural test planning, certification, and continuous improvement of analysis methods.
Top Skills:
AnsysCatiaExcelFemapFinite Element Analysis (Fea)HyperworksMatlabNastranNxPatranPythonSolidworksTeamcenter
What you need to know about the Seattle Tech Scene
Home to tech titans like Microsoft and Amazon, Seattle punches far above its weight in innovation. But its surrounding mountains, sprinkled with world-famous hiking trails and climbing routes, make the city a destination for outdoorsy types as well. Established as a logging town before shifting to shipbuilding and logistics, the Emerald City is now known for its contributions to aerospace, software, biotech and cloud computing. And its status as a thriving tech ecosystem is attracting out-of-town companies looking to establish new tech and engineering hubs.
Key Facts About Seattle Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 287,000; 13% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, software, biotechnology, game development
- Funding Landscape: $3.1 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Madrona, Fuse, Tola, Maveron
- Research Centers and Universities: University of Washington, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, Allen Institute for Brain Science, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle Children’s Research Institute
