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:
Do you thrive at the intersection of high-stakes execution and advanced technology? Shield AI is seeking a Director of Production to lead our U.S.-based manufacturing operations and help scale the future of autonomous defense systems. You’ll drive execution across factory floor operations, partner cross-functionally with quality, engineering and supply chain teams, and ensure our production systems are ready for what’s next.
We're looking for a bold, hands-on leader who can inspire teams, architect production systems, and scale operations with intensity, precision, and a clear mission in mind.
We're looking for a bold, hands-on leader who can inspire teams, architect production systems, and scale operations with intensity, precision, and a clear mission in mind.
What you'll do:
- Architect and execute forward-looking production plans that balance scale, agility, and quality—all while meeting demanding cost and delivery goals.
- Drive aircraft production capabilities, implementing systems, processes, and staffing to support rapid growth.
- Lead high-performance teams across production operations, driving excellence through clear expectations, coaching, and accountability.
- Collaborate deeply with quality, engineering, supply chain, and customer operations to integrate design, sourcing, and production workflows.
- Champion continuous improvement across every dimension of production: throughput, takt, quality, and cost.
- Embed data-driven decision-making into daily operations using KPI dashboards, metrics reviews, and operational cadences.
- Drive the adoption of automation, digitization, and advanced manufacturing methods to future-proof our operations.
- Serve as a trusted voice to executive leadership—reporting insights, flagging risks, and translating complexity into action.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, or related field; Master’s preferred.
- 10+ years of production leadership in advanced manufacturing environments (aerospace, automotive, or similar).
- Proven experience building and scaling a manufacturing operation.
- 5+ years leading large teams in high-precision, high-throughput settings.
- Success managing complex outsourced manufacturing or tiered vendor ecosystems.
- Deep knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies—and a passion for driving results through them.
- Exceptional communicator, able to navigate executive-level reporting and cross-functional alignment.
- A systems thinker with hands-on grit, capable of zooming between strategic planning and operational execution.
#LF
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.