a16z Product Delivery Specialist (R5077)
Job Description:
The Product Delivery Specialist is a highly detail-oriented, self-driven operator responsible for leading the successful execution of customer delivery programs from Production completion through customer acceptance and shipment. This role owns the delivery phase of assigned customer programs, ensuring products are complete, accurately configured, and delivered with a level of quality and professionalism that reflects Shield AI's commitment to operational excellence and customer success.
Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Product Delivery Specialist independently manages multiple concurrent delivery workstreams in a dynamic manufacturing environment where priorities shift rapidly and standardized work instructions are limited. The role requires exceptional judgment, ownership, and problem-solving skills to assess ambiguous situations, resolve complex delivery issues, balance competing priorities, and make informed decisions that directly impact delivery schedules, product readiness, and the customer experience.
The Product Delivery Specialist serves as the primary cross-functional coordinator for assigned delivery programs, partnering closely with Production, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Manufacturing Planning (SIOP), Flight Operations, Logistics, Program Management, and customers to drive successful delivery execution. This individual identifies delivery risks, develops mitigation plans, coordinates corrective actions across multiple organizations, and ensures customer requirements are successfully translated into executable delivery plans.
The Product Delivery Specialist leads Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) inventory activities and customer acceptance events while serving as the primary Product Delivery representative during those engagements. They are responsible for validating complex product configurations, ensuring customer-facing documentation is complete and accurate, coordinating final delivery readiness, and maintaining configuration integrity throughout the delivery process. Beyond execution, this role drives continuous improvement by identifying recurring issues, influencing upstream processes, improving delivery workflows, and helping establish standardized Product Delivery practices as the organization continues to mature.
Required qualifications:
- 2–5+ years of experience in product delivery, manufacturing, operations, quality, logistics, maintenance, program execution, or another complex hardware-focused environment
- Demonstrated ability to independently own complex workstreams while managing competing priorities with minimal supervision
- Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to identify discrepancies, recognize patterns, and maintain configuration integrity across complex hardware, documentation, and customer deliverables
- Proven ability to assess ambiguous situations, exercise sound judgment, and independently resolve complex operational problems
- Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and influencing execution across Production, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Manufacturing Planning (SIOP), Logistics, Program Management, or similar organizations
- Experience leading customer-facing activities or working directly with customers in a professional environment
- Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent customer programs while maintaining delivery quality and schedule commitments
- Ability to quickly learn complex products, engineering releases, customer configurations, and evolving operational processes
- Experience reviewing technical documentation, engineering drawings, bills of material (BOMs), build documentation, or configuration management records
- Experience using ERP/MRP systems (Costpoint, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, etc.)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build relationships across multiple organizations and communicate effectively with customers
- Demonstrated ownership, accountability, professionalism, and a continuous improvement mindset
- Ability to frequently lift and move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally move heavier items with appropriate equipment or assistance
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally to support customer acceptance activities and delivery events
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience leading Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), customer acceptance events, or complex hardware deliveries
- Experience identifying delivery risks, coordinating corrective actions, and driving successful delivery execution across multiple organizations
- Experience working with engineering change management, product configurations, revision control, or configuration management
- Experience developing or improving operational processes, standard work, or delivery workflows
- Experience in aerospace, defense, robotics, aviation, automotive, or another complex manufacturing environment
- Experience working directly with military, government, or international customers
- Experience using Costpoint, Arena PLM, Palantir Foundry, or similar enterprise systems
- Military experience in logistics, aviation maintenance, quality assurance, operations, production, supply chain, or similar operational leadership roles
Skills
As published by lever · 19 questions · 9 written answers
Basics
Resume/CV, Full name, Email, Phone, Current location, Current company, LinkedIn URL, Twitter URL, GitHub URL, Portfolio URL, Other website
Short answers (1)
- Please state your full legal name:
Pick from a list (9)
- Are you authorized to work in the United States?
- Will you require sponsorship for employment now or in the future?
- This position may require access to information and technology that is subject to export controls, such as EAR. Are you any of the following?
- Shield AI provides technology, services, and support to the United States military and allied forces with their various missions. If selected for employment with Shield AI, your contributions will directly relate to and/or support these missions. Are there any reasons why you would not be able to fully contribute in support of the U.S. military and allied forces?
- How did you hear about us?
- Are you a transitioning service member?
- If yes, what partnership program are you working with? optional
- Are you local to or willing to relocate? optional
- What office(s) would you be willing to relocate to? (Select all that apply) optional
Written answers (9)
- If yes, what type of sponsorship? optional
- If you selected "A protected Individual" OR "Other" to the above question, please explain further. optional
- (Optional) If you selected other or would like to expand on the above, feel free to do so below: optional
- If "Industry Conference" or "Other," please provide more details: optional
- If other, please provide further details optional
- When are you available to start your fellowship? optional
- When are you available for full time work? optional
- What full time job(s) are you applying for?
- If you selected international, what location(s)? optional