Senior Component Engineer

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