Head of Aircraft Production (R6147)

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 https://shield.ai/. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/shield-ai, X https://x.com/shieldaitech, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shield_ai, and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@Shield_AI. ABOUT SHIELD AI: Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Our products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. JOB DESCRIPTION: We’re looking for a hands-on manufacturing leader to take X-BAT from early prototype builds through production launch and into rate production. You will lead prototype build execution and the manufacturing setup of our new Seattle-area facility, X-Forge 3. You’ll build the production team, establish the factory’s operating system and deliver the readiness needed to scale aircraft production safely, reliably and efficiently. This role carries accountability across the full journey: turning lessons from development builds into a repeatable production system, then leading that operation against safety, quality, delivery and cost commitments. You’ll work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Program Management to make that happen. What you'll do: - Lead prototype builds and new product introduction - Own the day-to-day execution of X-BAT prototype and development aircraft builds, including assembly, integration, rework and build support for testing. - Partner with Program Management to establish achievable build schedules, resource plans and milestones, making constraints and trade-offs visible early. - Work with Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering through build-test-learn cycles, ensuring build issues are captured, resolved and reflected in future designs and production processes. - Plan and execute pre-series builds to prove tooling, work instructions, material flow, process controls and workforce readiness before production ramp. - Maintain configuration discipline and aircraft traceability throughout development builds in partnership with Engineering and Quality. Establish the Seattle production operation - Lead manufacturing setup and operational readiness for X-Forge 3, working with Facilities and Manufacturing Engineering on factory layout, equipment installation, commissioning and production flow. - Recruit, develop and lead the production organization, building capable frontline leadership and a skilled aircraft assembly team. - Own production staffing, training and capacity plans, aligning investment and workforce growth with program demand. - Drive launch readiness across people, tooling, materials, processes and quality, with clear owners and closure plans for gaps. - Lead the transition from prototype operations into Seattle production, ensuring build knowledge and lessons learned transfer with the work. Deliver and scale aircraft production - Own production execution against safety, quality, delivery and cost targets as X-BAT moves through initial production and into sustained rate. - Establish daily operating routines, visual management and escalation processes that surface problems early and drive timely resolution. - Improve throughput, labor productivity, first-pass quality and schedule adherence through practical Lean methods and structured problem-solving. - Partner with Supply Chain and Planning to align material availability, supplier readiness and outsourced manufacturing with the production plan. - Work with Manufacturing Engineering and Quality to eliminate recurring build issues and embed permanent corrective actions. - Deploy digital manufacturing tools and appropriate automation to improve execution, traceability and scalability. - Give leadership a clear view of production performance, launch readiness, risks and the decisions needed to maintain progress. Required qualifications: - - 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. - Demonstrated experience leading prototype or new product introduction builds and carrying a product into sustained production. - Proven ability to build and scale manufacturing operations, including workforce development, capacity planning and production systems. - Experience leading complex assembly and integration operations with demanding quality, configuration and traceability requirements. - Strong understanding of manufacturing readiness, tooling validation, material coordination and production launch. - Track record of improving safety, quality, delivery and cost through Lean manufacturing and structured problem-solving. - Ability to lead across Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Program Management, resolving competing priorities and driving clear accountability. - A hands-on leadership style, with the ability to move between long-term factory planning and detailed problem-solving on the floor. Preferred qualifications: - - 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. - Experience in aircraft final assembly, systems integration and production test. - Familiarity with aerospace quality systems, including AS9100, and digital