Senior Component Engineer

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:

Shield AI is redefining autonomous aviation with cutting-edge AI and GPS/RF-denied navigation technologies. Now, we’re building our next-generation aircraft, XBAT, that will push the boundaries of innovation and performance.

As one of the first Component Engineers at Shield AI, you'll be a foundational hire building the function from the ground up — defining process, tooling, and standards, not just executing an existing playbook. You'll guide component selection and own the qualification and lifecycle management of piece-part Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical (EEE) components across our aircraft PCBAs — driving decisions that reduce risk, control cost, and ensure long-term product reliability and survivability. This role sits at the intersection of engineering, supply chain and reliability.

What you'll do:

• Establish and scale Component Engineering processes, tools, and standards as one of the function's first dedicated hires
• Define baseline quality and certification requirements for EEE components across the XBAT aircraft
• Qualify and up-screen EEE components for use in aerospace applications, driving environmental and bench-top testing.
• Own component data and governance in PLM and the ECAD part library, including lifecycle status and approved vendor list
• Contribute to component failure analysis and root cause efforts
• Monitor and assess PCNs and lifecycle changes (NRND/EOL), and drive mitigation actions
• Support supply chain with alternate part evaluations and second-sourcing strategies
• Engage directly with suppliers to resolve technical questions

Required qualifications:

• B.S. in an engineering, physics or materials science
• 5+ years of relevant experience
• Deep knowledge of EEE components
• Understanding of Product Lifecycle Management, ECAD tools and structured component libraries
• Strong judgment in balancing performance, cost and supply chain risk
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical discussions and influence design decisions across engineering, supply chain, and program teams — including in ambiguous, fast-moving environments without an established playbook

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience building or scaling a component engineering function in a startup or fast-growth environment
• Familiar with industry-standard component qualification process (AEC-Q, NASA, JEDEC, MIL, etc)
• Knowledge of electrical component manufacturing processes and common failure modes
• Experience writing specifications/standards for internal company distribution

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Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

Seattle, Washington pay range: $140,000 - $210,000