Staff Supplier Development Engineer - Structures & Welding (R5984)

The role

This person will lead the technical development and performance improvement of suppliers that make welded assemblies, large metallic structures, sheet metal parts and structural assemblies. The role serves as the main technical link between suppliers and internal Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Program teams.

What you will do

• Lead technical development and performance improvement of suppliers for welded and structural assemblies.
• Assess supplier capabilities, conduct process audits, capacity analyses and onsite technical evaluations.
• Lead supplier industrialization, including tooling readiness, process validation and production ramp-up.
• Review engineering drawings, GD&T, weld symbols, bills of material and statements of work.
• Evaluate supplier welding capabilities, procedures, welder certifications and nondestructive inspection requirements.
• Lead technical problem-solving on weld defects, forming defects, distortion, dimensional issues and fit-up.
• Review and approve supplier manufacturing documentation, including control plans, PFMEAs and inspection plans.
• Coordinate First Article Inspection activities per AS9102 and support supplier recovery efforts.
• Support alternate-source development for sole-source, long-lead and flight-critical structural components.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to less-experienced team members.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Welding or Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 7+ years of experience in supplier development, manufacturing engineering, welding engineering, supplier quality or a related role in aerospace, defense or another highly regulated manufacturing envir
• Demonstrated experience developing suppliers and resolving complex manufacturing, quality, capacity or delivery issues.
• Technical experience with at least one commodity or process area, such as large metallic airframe structures, welded structural assemblies, sheet metal components, or tooling and fixtures.
• Strong working knowledge of welding processes such as GTAW/TIG, GMAW/MIG, resistance, laser or electron-beam welding.
• Knowledge of sheet metal manufacturing processes, including cutting, bending, forming, rolling, trimming and fastening.
• Experience evaluating welding procedures, welder qualifications, heat input, distortion control and weld inspection methods.
• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings, GD&T, weld symbols and material specifications.
• Experience assessing tooling and fixture concepts for welding, forming and large-structure assembly.
• Experience with First Article Inspection requirements and AS9102 documentation.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 quality management systems and aerospace supplier qualification requirements.
• Experience with structured root-cause methods such as 8D, 5-Why and fishbone analysis.

Nice to have

• 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 with large welded airframe structures, sheet metal assemblies or flight-critical hardware.
• Working knowledge of AWS D17.1 or comparable aerospace welding standards.
• Experience with aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, nickel alloys and other aerospace-grade materials.
• Knowledge of nondestructive testing methods such as radiographic, ultrasonic, dye-penetrant and magnetic-particle inspection.
• Familiarity with NADCAP-controlled processes.
• Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, export compliance and government contracting requirements.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer, Certified Welding Inspector, or Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

Benefits

• Bonus for full-time regular employees.
• Equity for full-time regular employees.
• Benefits package for full-time regular employees.
• Temporary benefits package for temporary employees, applicable after 60 days of employment.

Before you apply

• A U.S. government security clearance must be obtained and maintained.
• All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check.
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits.

About the company

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company that builds intelligent systems to protect service members and civilians. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation technologies.