Staff Engineer, Tool Design (R6296)
Shield AI · Seattle, WA
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 7+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior manufacturing role at Shield AI (aerospace & defense) in Seattle, WA.
- They ask for
- 7+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- GD&T, ISO 9001, AS9100, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Automation, Machining
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Washington: typical posted base $103k–$145k.
Median of the low and high ends of 23 live postings that list pay, out of 39 manufacturing 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 38 other live manufacturing postings in Washington.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (7+ vs 3+)
Typical $100k–$135k, from 20 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 3+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 62%
- Root cause 49%
- ✓ Automation 38%
- Lean 31%
- ✓ New product launch 31%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 23%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for ISO 9001, 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 1 person at this company and state: 1 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 Bryan → (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 Seattle
16 other open roles at this site · 1 person we found in manufacturing 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
What you'll do
- ◆Translate GD&T, key characteristics, and CTQs into tooling
requirements
(datums, locators, clamps, tolerances, ergonomics, ESD/FOD controls).
- ✓Design assembly jigs, drill/bond fixtures, composites molds & trim fixtures, go/no-go gauges, lifting/handling carts, and protective tooling using CATIA/NX/SolidWorks.
- ✓Conduct FEA and hand calculations to confirm stiffness, clamp loads, safety factors, and ergonomics.
- ✓Generate complete Tool Design Packages including 3D models, 2D drawings with GD&T, BOM, torque/fastener specs, materials/finishes, lifting points, and safety labeling.
- ✓Lead design reviews with ME, Quality, Safety, and Launch teams; perform human-factors evaluations.
- ✓Manage tool fabrication , oversee NCR/ECR resolution, and support shop-floor prove-out.
- ✓Develop Tool Setup & Care Instructions, PM plans, and inspection checklists.
- ✓Support First Article activities including CMM/laser-tracker alignment, gage strategy, and dimensional validation.
Required qualifications
- ✓7+ years of experience in tooling design, mechanical design, or manufacturing engineering.
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Industrial, Mechatronics, or related engineering field.
- ✓Experience in prototype manufacturing in a startup or rapid-growth environment.
- ✓Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, including machining, composites, avionics and/or assembly.
- ✓Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and adapt to changing priorities
Preferred qualifications
- ✓Knowledge of quality standards, such as AS9100 or ISO 9001.
- ✓Familiarity with advanced manufacturing technologies, such as additive manufacturing or automation systems.
- ✓Strong project management skills, including experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
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
The Senior Tool Design Engineer brings 7+ years of experience developing production tooling for complex aerospace systems. This role owns tooling throughout its lifecycle (concept, design, analysis, release, fabrication, and prove-out) ensuring safe, repeatable, first-time-right assembly. You will work cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Quality, and Safety to deliver robust tooling that supports pilot builds through rate production.
Tools & Skills
- •CATIA / NX / SolidWorks, 3DEXPERIENCE / Teamcenter, FEA tools, GD&T, metrology fundamentals, supplier manufacturing processes.