Lead execution of prototype, integration, and pre-production builds for autonomous aircraft. Coordinate cross-functional teams, drive issue resolution, track build progress, implement engineering changes, and report risks to leadership while improving build processes and readiness for production launch.
Founded in 2015, 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 and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. 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.
As the Build Manager, Prototype & New Product Launch at Shield AI, you will lead the execution of prototype and pre-production builds for next-generation autonomous aircraft systems. You will serve as the central coordination point across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program management to ensure builds are executed efficiently, issues are rapidly resolved, and critical development milestones are achieved.
In this highly visible role, you will drive daily build operations, facilitate cross-functional communication, and own the tracking and closure of technical, manufacturing, and supply chain issues that arise during development. Working at the intersection of engineering innovation and manufacturing execution, you will help transform first-of-their-kind aerospace systems from concept into reality.
This is a unique opportunity to build products that have never existed before, solve complex challenges in real time, and play a key role in defining how advanced autonomous systems are developed and launched at scale.
What you'll do:
- Lead day-to-day execution of prototype, integration, and pre-production build activities, ensuring schedule, quality, and program objectives are achieved.
- Serve as the primary build coordinator across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and program management teams.
- Drive issue identification, escalation, and resolution during prototype and NPI builds, ensuring blockers are quickly addressed and closed.
- Facilitate daily build reviews, action item tracking, and cross-functional communication to maintain alignment across stakeholders.
- Monitor build progress, material availability, engineering changes, and production readiness activities to keep development schedules on track.
- Partner with engineering teams to support build-test-learn cycles, providing feedback on manufacturability, assembly challenges, and process improvements.
- Coordinate implementation of engineering changes, non-conformance resolutions, and corrective actions throughout development builds.
- Maintain build status reporting, risk tracking, and executive-level communication regarding schedule impacts, issues, and mitigation plans.
- Continuously improve prototype build processes, issue management systems, and cross-functional execution frameworks.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations, or a related technical field.
- 5+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, robotics, or advanced manufacturing environments.
- Experience managing prototype builds, NPI programs, integration activities, or complex hardware development efforts.
- Demonstrated ability to drive cross-functional issue resolution in fast-paced development environments.
- Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Experience working closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience supporting aerospace, UAV, defense, or highly regulated manufacturing programs.
- Familiarity with product development lifecycles, engineering change management, and manufacturing readiness processes.
- Experience using project management, issue tracking, and production planning tools.
- PMP certification or equivalent program management training.
- Previous experience supporting new product introduction (NPI), prototype development, or production launch activities.
#LI-JM1
#LD
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.
###
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.
Similar Jobs at Shield AI
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Lead logistics planning and sustainment for the X-BAT UAS program across development, production, test, and field support. Develop ILS products, perform Maintenance Task Analysis, manage LCN structures, support R&M activities (FMECA, LORA), lead spares/provisioning and inventory planning, coordinate suppliers/depots, and ensure compliance with defense standards and contract requirements.
Top Skills:
ArenaCasaCompassCostpointEagleFmecaGeia-Std-0007Logistics Control NumberLoraMaintenance Task AnalysisMil-Hdbk-502AMil-Std-1388Opus10OraclePowerlog-JSae Ta-Std-0017SAPSlicwaveTeamcenterWindchill
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Lead end-to-end delivery of complex technical programs across engineering, product, data, and infrastructure. Design and implement delivery processes, manage governance, risks, budgets, dependencies, and reporting. Facilitate technical scoping, release planning, and executive communications while institutionalizing delivery best practices and improving predictability across concurrent workstreams.
Top Skills:
Api-Led IntegrationAWSAzureCi/CdConfluenceContainerizationDevsecopsGCPInfrastructure-As-CodeJIRAKanbanLinearNotionSafeScrumSmartsheet
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Design, develop, and deploy mechanical test fixtures, stands, and integration tooling to validate X-BAT aircraft subsystems. Create CAD models and drawings, perform structural/thermal analyses, support environmental, vibration, and endurance testing, troubleshoot failures, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve test efficiency and hardware reliability.
Top Skills:
AbaqusAnsysCatiaCreoData Acquisition SystemsDo-160InstrumentationMil-Std-810NastranNxSensorsSolidworks
What you need to know about the Colorado Tech Scene
With a business-friendly climate and research universities like CU Boulder and Colorado State, Colorado has made a name for itself as a startup ecosystem. The state boasts a skilled workforce and high quality of life thanks to its affordable housing, vibrant cultural scene and unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation. Colorado is also home to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, helping cement its status as a hub for renewable energy innovation.
Key Facts About Colorado Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 260,000; 8.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Lockheed Martin, Century Link, Comcast, BAE Systems, Level 3
- Key Industries: Software, artificial intelligence, aerospace, e-commerce, fintech, healthtech
- Funding Landscape: $4.9 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Access Venture Partners, Ridgeline Ventures, Techstars, Blackhorn Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Denver, Colorado State University, Mesa Laboratory, Space Science Institute, National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Gottlieb Institute
