Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the 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:
The Operational Excellence Engineering Technician will support the deployment and continuous advancement of performance systems and operational standards within Shield AI’s manufacturing organization. This role will contribute to building a culture of execution excellence by facilitating structured problem-solving initiatives and supporting measurable improvements across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People (SQDCP).
You will help implement and sustain core manufacturing processes—such as visual management, 5S, standard work, root cause analysis, and KPI tracking—while partnering cross-functionally with manufacturing, production, material planning and logistics, and quality teams to execute high-priority continuous improvement initiatives. This role provides hands-on ownership of improvement projects that elevate factory performance at scale.
Do you have the analytical rigor and operational mindset to strengthen excellence in autonomous defense manufacturing?
What you'll do:
Support the deployment, sustainment, and continuous improvement of operational standards across manufacturing (5S, visual management, root cause analysis, and more).
Facilitate structured problem-solving initiatives using methodologies such as A3, 5 Whys, Fishbone analysis, and corrective action implementation.
Partner with manufacturing, production, material planning and logistics, and quality teams to execute cross-functional improvement initiatives that enhance Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People performance.
Maintain and enhance KPI dashboards and visual management systems to increase transparency, performance accountability, and daily management effectiveness.
Analyze operational and performance data to identify trends, performance gaps, and areas of opportunity that inform improvement priorities.
Support and help facilitate Kaizen events and focused improvement workshops to accelerate targeted performance gains.
Develop, refine, and document standard work to improve process consistency, efficiency, and operational discipline.
Track action plans and ensure follow-through on corrective actions and improvement initiatives to drive sustained results.
Reinforce a culture of accountability and execution excellence by promoting disciplined adherence to operational standards.
Support manufacturing training efforts by reinforcing Lean principles and partnering cross-functionally to improve the structure, consistency, and effectiveness of training programs.
Required qualifications:
5+ years of experience in a production/manufacturing environment
Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated interest in manufacturing operations, Lean principles, or continuous improvement methodologies.
Ability to interpret operational performance data and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and familiarity with data visualization tools.
Preferred qualifications:
Experience supporting Lean or continuous improvement initiatives within an aerospace or regulated manufacturing environment.
Working knowledge of Lean tools such as 5S, A3 problem-solving, Value Stream Mapping, root cause analysis, or Kaizen facilitation.
Experience maintaining KPI dashboards, visual management systems, or performance tracking tools.
Familiarity with ERP/MES systems and production reporting platforms.
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving manufacturing environment with shifting priorities.
Six Sigma certification
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.