Staff Supplier Development Engineer - Propulsion & Landing Gear (R5859)

The role

Lead the technical development, industrialization and performance improvement of suppliers for airframe structures, precision-machined components, landing gear, and propulsion and engine-related hardware. Work with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Program teams on supplier selection, new product introduction, qualification and production ramp-up.

What you will do

• Lead technical development and performance improvement of suppliers for airframe structures, precision-machined parts, landing gear, and propulsion and engine hardware.
• Assess supplier capability, manufacturing processes, capacity, quality systems and production readiness through onsite evaluations and audits.
• Partner with Strategic Sourcing and Engineering to select suppliers that meet technical, quality, cost, schedule and rate requirements.
• Lead supplier industrialization, including process validation, tooling readiness, capacity planning, qualification and production ramp-up.
• Drive design-for-manufacturability discussions between internal Engineering and suppliers.
• Lead technical problem-solving on defects, nonconformances, process variation and material shortages using 8D, 5-Why and fishbone analysis.
• Coordinate First Article Inspection under AS9102 and resolve FAI discrepancies.
• Lead onsite supplier recovery efforts and report progress and risks to program and executive leadership.
• Support alternate sources and risk mitigation for sole-source, long-lead and flight-critical components.
• Mentor less-experienced Supplier Development, Supplier Quality and Supply Chain team members.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
• 7+ years of experience in supplier development, manufacturing engineering, supplier quality or quality engineering in aerospace, defense or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing suppliers and resolving complex manufacturing, quality, capacity or delivery issues.
• Technical experience in at least one commodity area such as airframe structures, precision-machined components, landing gear, engines and propulsion, castings and forgings, or special-process componen
• Strong knowledge of CNC machining, structural fabrication, composites, casting, forging, welding, heat treatment, plating, coating and mechanical assembly.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, GD&T, bills of material and manufacturing requirements.
• Experience conducting process audits, capability assessments, capacity analyses and production readiness reviews.
• Experience with First Article Inspection and AS9102 documentation.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 and aerospace supplier qualification requirements.
• Experience with structured root-cause analysis and corrective action methods such as 8D and 5-Why.
• Knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, process capability, statistical process control, measurement systems and inspection methods.

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 airframe structures, landing gear, turbine engines or propulsion systems.
• Experience supporting industrialization and production ramp-up of new aerospace components.
• Experience with metallic and composite airframe structures, including tooling, layup, curing, bonding and assembly.
• Working knowledge of landing gear or engine and propulsion manufacturing.
• Experience leading supplier recovery efforts for critical delivery, capacity or quality issues.
• Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma and value-stream mapping.
• Familiarity with NADCAP-controlled special processes.
• Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, export compliance and government contracting requirements.

Benefits

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

Before you apply

• All offers are contingent on a cleared background check and possible reference check.
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits.
• Pay depends on factors including skill set, experience, licenses and certifications, and work location.
• A U.S. government security clearance must be obtainable and maintainable.

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.