Shield AI
Head of Aircraft Production (R6147)
Seattle, Washington · Director · Full-time · Posted Nov 4, 2026
- Experience
- 10+ years in aerospace or comparable advanced manufacturing, including at least 5 years leading production teams.
- Education
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, or a related technical field.
About the job
Leads X-BAT prototype builds, establishes Shield AI’s Seattle production facility, and scales aircraft manufacturing from development through sustained rate production.
What you'll do
- Own prototype, development, and pre-series build execution, incorporating build-test lessons into production processes.
- Establish X-Forge 3’s operations, team, staffing, training, capacity, and launch readiness.
- Deliver production against safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets while improving throughput and resolving manufacturing issues.
What they ask for
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, or a related technical field.
- 10+ years of experience in aerospace or comparable advanced manufacturing, including at least 5 years leading production teams.
- Experience leading prototype or new product introduction builds and carrying a product into sustained production.
- Experience building and scaling manufacturing operations, including workforce development, capacity planning, and production systems.
Nice to have
- Direct experience taking a new aircraft program from prototype through initial and rate production.
- Experience establishing a new manufacturing facility or transferring production between sites.
Tools
AS9100
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative