Senior Mechanical Engineer Structural Design R4443

Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AIs technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

Job Description

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Structural Design Engineer to support the development of structural components for our next-generation autonomous aircraft. As a key contributor on the Mechanical Engineering team, you will design and develop high-performance structural hardware from concept through production release.

You will work cross-functionally to ensure structural integrity, manufacturability, and system integration across one of the most advanced autonomous aircraft platforms being built today. This role is ideal for an aerospace mechanical engineer who thrives in hands-on design environments and is eager to take increasing ownership of flight-critical hardware.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop structural components and assemblies for Shield AIs next-generation UAV platform, supporting both primary and secondary aircraft structures.
• Execute the structural design lifecycle, including concept development, CAD modeling, detail design, and drawing release.
• Perform linear structural and stress analysis using FEA tools under defined loading conditions, with guidance from senior engineers as needed.
• Collaborate closely with aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, payload, and manufacturing teams to support system integration across airframe interfaces.
• Contribute to material selection decisions, including composites and metallic structures, aligned to performance and manufacturability goals.
• Support structural validation efforts, including coupon testing, subcomponent testing, and system-level verification.
• Generate high-quality design documentation, drawings, interface definitions, and analysis reports in compliance with aerospace standards.
• Partner with manufacturing and flight test teams to resolve build issues and support hardware through test and deployment.
• Participate in design reviews and technical discussions, presenting work clearly and incorporating feedback effectively.
• Continuously improve personal technical depth in structural layout, joints, tolerancing, and structural optimization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
• 4-5 years of experience in aircraft structural design or closely related aerospace structures.
• Experience designing and releasing structural components in development or production environments.
• Working knowledge of composite and metallic structures, including fasteners, bonded joints, and load paths.
• Proficiency in CAD tools, such as NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, or similar.
• Experience using FEA tools, such as ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, or similar, for linear structural analysis.
• Understanding of GD&T tolerance stackups and DFMA principles.
• Strong written and verbal technical communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in fast-paced, high-ownership engineering environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience supporting UAV DoD or aerospace vehicle programs.
• Familiarity with aerospace standards, MIL-STD, ASME Y14.5, FAA.
• Experience supporting hardware through test failure analysis and design iteration.
• Exposure to composite design and manufacturing methods.

Benefits and Compensation

Shield AI offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• Pay within range listed
• Bonus
• Benefits
• Equity

Temporary employee offer package available, with pay within range listed above and temporary benefits package applicable after 60 days of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

Artificial Intelligence Tools

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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