Director, Avionics Mechanical Engineering

Shield AI•Seattle, WA

5d•$265,000 - $398,000

About The Position

Shield AI is seeking a Director of Avionics Mechanical Engineering to build and lead the organization responsible for all mechanical, thermal, and harnessing (EWIS) design for the X-BAT aircraft and ground equipment. This role involves setting technical strategy and organizational structure, developing managers and technical leads, and ensuring the delivery of flight-critical electro-mechanical hardware from concept through production. As a senior member of the avionics leadership team, you will collaborate with engineering, program, and operations leaders on architecture, schedule, and resourcing. Leaders at Shield AI are expected to possess strong technical fundamentals and a history of hands-on design.

Requirements

B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
15+ years of experience in mechanical design around electronics and electrical systems, including significant early-career, hands-on design of enclosures, thermal solutions, and harness integration
5+ years of people leadership, including managing managers or leading multiple engineering teams
Proven record of building and scaling engineering teams through rapid growth
Record of delivering complex avionics or electro-mechanical hardware from concept through production
Deep technical fluency in avionics packaging, FEA, thermal analysis, and fatigue and lifecycle testing
Experience setting engineering strategy, standards, and processes across an organization
Experience managing relationships with fabrication shops, contract manufacturers, and key suppliers
Ability to operate in a fast-paced, agile environment with shifting priorities
A demonstrated record of working hard, being trustworthy, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others
Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance

Nice To Haves

Experience leading hardware teams on aircraft, spacecraft, launch vehicles, or defense platforms
Background in high-rate hardware production, such as satellites, EV power electronics, or autonomous vehicles
Experience with DO-160, MIL-STD-810, or similar environmental qualification standards
Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or equivalent Engineering

Responsibilities

Own the technical vision, strategy, and roadmap for mechanical, thermal, and EWIS engineering across X-BAT flight and ground avionics.
Build and scale a multi-team organization: hire and develop managers and technical leads, define org structure, and plan headcount to meet near- and long-term program goals.
Be accountable for your organization's delivery of complex electro-mechanical hardware that survives harsh environments, from architecture through qualification and production.
Set engineering standards, design review practices, and processes for thermal, mechanical, and harness design of flight-critical avionics.
Serve as the final technical authority on key mechanical and thermal architecture tradeoffs, and escalate risk to program leadership with clear recommendations.
Partner with electrical engineering, RF, PCB design, reliability, structures, supply chain, and manufacturing leaders to drive full-scope product delivery.
Own organizational planning inputs, including resourcing, schedule commitments, supplier and contract manufacturer strategy, and make-vs-buy decisions.
Build a culture of extreme ownership, technical rigor, and accountability.