Staff Supplier Development Engineer - Structures & Welding (R5984)

Shield AI is seeking a Staff Supplier Development Engineer - Structures & Welding to lead the technical development and performance improvement of suppliers supporting welded assemblies, large metallic structures, sheet metal components, and complex structural assemblies.

The successful candidate will assess supplier capabilities across welding, sheet metal forming, structural fabrication, machining, assembly, tooling, inspection, and special processes. They will conduct supplier capability assessments, manufacturing readiness reviews, process audits, capacity analyses, and onsite technical evaluations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading supplier industrialization activities, including manufacturing planning, tooling and fixture readiness, process validation, capacity planning, qualification, and production ramp-up
• Serving as the primary technical interface between suppliers and internal Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Program teams
• Evaluating supplier welding capabilities, including welding equipment, personnel qualifications, weld procedures, process controls, inspection methods, and compliance with applicable aerospace welding standards
• Reviewing engineering drawings, specifications, GD&T, bills of material, weld symbols, material requirements, special-process requirements, and statements of work
• Developing and managing supplier technical development plans, production readiness plans, capacity recovery plans, and corrective-action plans
• Applying structured root-cause and corrective-action methods, including 8D, 5-Why, fishbone analysis, fault-tree analysis, and other appropriate problem-solving tools

The ideal candidate will have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Welding Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field
• 7+ years of experience in supplier development, manufacturing engineering, welding engineering, supplier quality engineering, or a related technical role within aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated experience developing suppliers and resolving complex manufacturing, quality, capacity, or delivery issues
• Technical experience with one or more of the following commodity or process areas: large metallic airframe structures, welded structural assemblies, sheet metal components and assemblies, sheet metal forming and fabrication, structural frames, supports, mounts, and enclosures
• Strong working knowledge of welding processes such as GTAW/TIG, GMAW/MIG, resistance welding, laser welding, or electron-beam welding

Preferred qualifications include:

• Active U.S. government SECRET security clearance at the time of hire
• Experience supporting aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems, advanced aerospace platforms, or defense programs
• Direct supplier development experience involving large welded airframe structures, sheet metal assemblies, engine mounts, structural frames, or other flight-critical hardware
• Experience supporting the industrialization and production ramp-up of newly designed aerospace structures and assemblies