Senior Engineer, Manufacturing
Shield AI · Dallas, TX
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior manufacturing role at Shield AI (aerospace & defense) in Dallas, TX. Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes, production methods, and assembly sequences to improve safety, quality, cost, and throughput.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Value stream mapping, Root cause, CAPA, GD&T
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Texas: typical posted base $79k–$132k.
Median of the low and high ends of 33 live postings that list pay, out of 148 manufacturing engineer openings in Texas, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Texas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 147 other live manufacturing postings in Texas.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $79k–$132k, from 33 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 57%
- ✓ Root cause 51%
- ✓ Lean 39%
- ✓ New product launch 39%
- Automation 34%
- ✓ Six Sigma 28%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Value stream mapping, CAPA, ISO 9001, AS9100, 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 Manufacturing team at Shield AI
We found 3 people at this company and state: 3 in this kind of role. 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 Nicholas → (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?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- 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 Dallas
15 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found in manufacturing roles at Shield AI.
- Propulsion Engineering Technician (R6045) · Manufacturing
- Support Equipment Engineer (R5913) · Manufacturing
- Production Technician · Production · Technician
- Senior Supplier Development Engineer (R5487) · Quality · Senior
- Sr Director Engineering, V-BAT · Manufacturing · Director+
- Director, Avionics Engineering, V-BAT · Manufacturing · Director+
Full description from Shield AIAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
What you'll do
Lead manufacturing engineering activities for assigned aircraft systems from prototype development through full-rate production.
Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes, production methods, and assembly sequences to improve safety, quality, cost, and throughput.
Design and validate assembly tooling, fixtures, jigs, and manufacturing aids to support efficient and repeatable production.
Develop and maintain work instructions, manufacturing process documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and manufacturing specifications.
Partner with Design Engineering to influence product designs through Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA) and support engineering change implementation.
Lead prototype builds, production readiness activities, first article inspections, and new product introductions.
Troubleshoot manufacturing issues using structured root cause analysis and implement effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on manufacturing efficiency, quality, ergonomics, safety, and production capacity.
Collaborate closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, and Program Management to achieve program objectives.
Support supplier manufacturing readiness, process validation, and qualification activities as required.
Utilize CAD software to develop tooling concepts, manufacturing aids, and production support equipment.
Mentor Associate and Manufacturing Engineers while promoting engineering best practices and manufacturing standards.
Support production planning, capacity planning, and manufacturing strategy for future production growth.
Required qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience supporting complex aerospace, defense, automotive, robotics, or advanced manufacturing products.
Experience developing manufacturing processes, tooling, and production methods for complex assemblies.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes such as machining, composites, electrical assemblies, precision mechanical assemblies, or final system integration.
Proficiency with CAD software such as CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent.
Strong understanding of engineering drawings, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and manufacturing documentation.
Experience supporting prototype builds, production ramp-up, and New Product Introduction (NPI).
Working knowledge of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA) principles.
Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis skills.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional technical initiatives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Preferred qualifications
Experience supporting military, commercial aerospace, defense, automotive, or advanced manufacturing programs.
Experience with AS9100, ISO 9001, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), and continuous improvement methodologies.
Experience with ERP, MES, PLM, or digital manufacturing systems.
Experience with automated manufacturing equipment, robotics, or advanced production technologies.
Previous experience mentoring engineers or leading technical projects.
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
We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Manufacturing Engineer to lead the development, implementation, and optimization of manufacturing processes for advanced aerospace systems. In this role, you will own one or more aircraft systems throughout the product lifecycle, partnering with Design Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management to transition products from development into production.
You will play a key role in prototype builds, new product introduction (NPI), production readiness, and production ramp-up while driving improvements in manufacturability, quality, throughput, and cost. This position may support aircraft structures, electrical systems, propulsion, mechanical systems, avionics, final integration, ground support equipment, or other complex aerospace assemblies.