Staff Engineer, Quality (R4840)
Shield AI · Seattle, WA
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Quality
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior quality role at Shield AI (aerospace & defense) in Seattle, WA. , you will lead quality initiatives across the product lifecycle, driving improvements from early design and new product introduction through full-rate production.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, SPC, FMEA, Control plans
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Quality Engineer roles in Washington: typical posted base $100k–$135k.
Median of the low and high ends of 17 live postings that list pay, out of 26 quality engineer openings in Washington, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Washington plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 25 other live quality postings in Washington.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (5+ vs 3+)
Typical $100k–$135k, from 17 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 3+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 100%
- ✓ Lean 88%
- ✓ AS9100 58%
- ✓ New product launch 58%
- ✓ Six Sigma 54%
- Supplier quality 54%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for MES, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Quality team at Shield AI
We found 1 person at this company and state: 1 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Nick → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
- How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Shield AI in Seattle
16 other open roles at this site · 1 person we found in quality roles at Shield AI.
- Compensation Director, Aircraft Engineering and Manufacturing (R6270) · Manufacturing · Director+
- Director, Avionics Mechanical Engineering · Reliability · Director+
- Head of Aircraft Production (R6147) · Production · Director+
- Head of Aircraft Quality (R6146) · Quality · Director+
- Staff Electrical Specialist - Hardware Test (R6122) · Reliability · Senior
- Engineer I, Quality (R5976) · Quality
Full description from Shield AIAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Required qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience)
- ✓5+ years of experience in Quality, Manufacturing, or Process Engineering roles
- ✓Demonstrated experience leading root cause analysis and implementing effective corrective and preventive actions (RCA/CAPA)
- ✓Strong knowledge of quality systems and standards (AS9100 or similar)
- ✓Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) and scaling production in a manufacturing environment
- ✓Proficiency in statistical analysis and process control methods (SPC, capability analysis, etc.)
- ✓Proven ability to work cross-functionally and influence engineering, manufacturing, and supplier teams
Preferred qualifications
- ✓Experience in aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability industries
- ✓ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Lean Six Sigma certification, or equivalent
- ✓Knowledge of design for quality principles, including DFMEA, tolerance analysis, and design reviews
- ✓Experience working with quality and manufacturing systems (QMS, MES, PLM) and data analysis tools
- ✓Familiarity with advanced inspection or test methods (metrology, NDT, automated inspection, etc.)
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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
At Shield AI, we’re building advanced autonomous aircraft that are redefining what is possible, and we are looking for a Staff Quality Engineer to help ensure our products meet the highest standards of performance, reliability, and safety. In this role, you will lead quality initiatives across the product lifecycle, driving improvements from early design and new product introduction through full-rate production.
You will be responsible for developing and maintaining robust quality systems in alignment with AS9100 standards, leading root cause investigations and implementing effective corrective and preventive actions. You will partner closely with engineering, manufacturing, and supplier teams to identify risks, improve process capability, and ensure consistent product quality. Your work will include supporting NPI efforts, establishing control plans and inspection strategies, and using data-driven methods to monitor and improve manufacturing performance.
As a Staff Quality Engineer, you will play a key role in shaping quality strategy, mentoring team members, and influencing cross-functional decisions without direct authority. This is an opportunity to work hands on with next generation aerospace technology and contribute directly to the delivery of highly reliable autonomous systems that will define the future of aviation.