Senior Sustainment Engineer

Aechelon Technology -- a Shield AI company, builds high-fidelity visual simulation systems. We're looking for a Aechelon Technology — a Shield AI company — builds high-fidelity visual simulation systems. We're looking for a Sustainment Engineer to keep platform systems buildable, traceable, and releasable. This role owns production build issue resolution, engineering change control, image releases, spares planning, compliance, and operational metrics.

You'll work independently and partner with Platform Engineering, Production, Systems Engineering, Infrastructure, contract manufacturers, and suppliers. You'll turn production and lifecycle needs into clear engineering actions, accurate records, and better build and release processes.

This position’s work week is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time (CT). Regular and reliable availability during these hours is required, regardless of the employee’s work location.

Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to the following:

• Own first-pass triage and resolution: independently diagnose and resolve factory and production build issues across Windows, Windows Server, and Ubuntu using Python and PowerShell, coordinating cross-team escalation as needed.
• Drive engineering change control: initiate ECRs for buildability, sourcing, and new capabilities; lead ECOs for systemic production-yield issues; and contribute to impact analysis and disposition.
• Coordinate controlled image releases: release approved OS, firmware, and BIOS updates to shipped systems, and support golden-image version control.
• Plan spares and long-lead materials: own forecasts and provide sustainment input for inventory targets, safety stock, end-of-life planning, and last-time buys.
• Complete per-unit handoff packages: maintain accurate as-built records, image versions, and test results, and coordinate acceptance with Systems Engineering.
• Support qualification and compliance: review substitutions for compliance and support component qualification, production release readiness, and supplier-quality reviews. Obtain export compliance documentation for new components and, on a quarterly basis, maintain existing export compliance documentation as needed.
• Own production sustainment metrics: define and report yield, cycle time, and time to qualify, then use the results to identify and track improvements.
• Improve production tooling and workflows: partner with Infrastructure and Production teams on factory provisioning, imaging, test automation, traceability integrations, and released build and test procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have at least 5 years of experience sustaining hardware, software systems and product lifecycle management in a production, manufacturing, or lab environment.
• Independent technical problem-solving skills for production build and configuration issues, with the ability to coordinate resolution across teams.
• Working knowledge of engineering change control, including ECRs, ECOs, BOMs, configuration management, and technical impact analysis.
• Experience releasing and controlling system software, including OS, firmware, BIOS, or comparable configurations.
• Ability to interpret production tests and yield data and turn findings into practical process or design improvements.
• Understanding of supply continuity planning, including spares, long-lead materials, inventory targets, end-of-life planning, and last-time buys.
• Strong documentation and traceability skills, with experience maintaining accurate as-built records, configuration history, and test results.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with engineering, operations, contract manufacturers, and suppliers.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with contract manufacturers or supporting complex hardware production.
• Familiarity with ERP, MRP, or product traceability systems.
• Familiarity with thermal, burn-in, or compatibility testing.
• Experience with production test automation or operational reporting, including test-data capture, scripting, or dashboards.

This position description is not intended to be a complete listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee holding this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may be changed or others may be assigned at any time by the Company with notice to the employee. 

Shield AI is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing access and opportunities to individuals with disabilities. If you are an applicant who is unable to fully utilize/access our application process because of a disability, Aechelon Technology will provide a reasonable accommodation. Please send an email to dl-aechelon_hr-team@shield.ai to request that accommodation, and please be sure to include a detailed description of your requested accommodation, your name and preferred method of contact.