a16z Manager, Quality (R5120)
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 . Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Job Description:
The Quality Manager is responsible for leading and maintaining the Quality Management System (QMS) for VBAT manufacturing operations. This role ensures product conformity, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing quality across VBAT production, inspection, and testing.
What you'll do:
Quality Management System (QMS)
- Maintain and improve the company Quality Management System in alignment with AS9100 standard.
- Develop, implement, and enforce quality policies, procedures, work instructions, and inspection criteria.
- Support external customer and regulatory audits.
- Drive compliance to AS9100 principles and customer-specific quality requirements.
Manufacturing Quality Oversight
- Lead quality operations across VBAT assembly, composite fabrication, avionics integration, mechanical assembly, and test operations.
- Ensure robust in-process and final inspection processes are in place and effective.
- Establish inspection plans, acceptance criteria, and manufacturing quality controls.
- Monitor production quality metrics including defects, escapes, rework, scrap, MRB activity, and yield.
- Partner with production and manufacturing leadership to improve build quality, process discipline, and throughput.
Nonconformance & Corrective Action
- Own the Material Review Board (MRB) process and disposition of nonconforming material.
- Drive effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to closure.
- Ensure containment actions are timely and effective while long-term solutions are implemented.
Inspection
- Oversee inspection personnel including in-process inspection and final acceptance testing.
- Ensure calibrated tooling and measurement systems are maintained and compliant.
- Improve inspection efficiency while maintaining product integrity and traceability.
Leadership & Team Development
- Build and develop a high-performing quality organization in a startup-growth environment.
- Mentor Quality Engineers, Inspectors, and Technicians.
- Promote a proactive quality culture focused on ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Drive cross-functional collaboration between Quality, Production, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or related technical field; equivalent experience may be considered.
- 5–10+ years of quality experience in aerospace, defense, UAV, aviation, or complex electromechanical manufacturing.
- 3+ years of leadership or management experience.
- Experience supporting low-rate/high-mix manufacturing environments.
- Experience working directly on production floors and collaborating cross-functionally.
Preferred qualifications:
- AS9100 internal or lead auditor certification.
- Familiarity with defense contracting and customer quality requirements.
- Experience implementing quality systems in scaling manufacturing environments.
- Working knowledge of ERP/MES systems and quality data analysis tools.
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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.