Senior Staff Engineer, Structural Analysis - Ranger (R6300)

Shield AI•Seattle, WA

21h

About The Position

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Staff Structural Analyst to provide advanced technical leadership in structural analysis and validation of next-generation UAV platforms. The role serves as a senior subject-matter expert for airframe structures, leading complex analysis efforts, supporting test correlation, and ensuring structural integrity across development, flight test, and production. It is intended for an experienced engineer who can own analysis execution, mentor other engineers, and influence program design tradeoffs.

Requirements

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
10+ years of experience in structural analysis, aircraft structures, or aerospace systems.
Strong expertise with FEA tools such as ANSYS, NASTRAN, HyperWorks, or similar.
Advanced proficiency in hand calculations for strength, stability, fatigue, and damage tolerance.
Significant experience with composite and lightweight aerospace structures.
Experience supporting structural testing, model correlation, and flight test validation.
Ability to lead complex technical workstreams and influence design decisions within a program.
Strong communication skills and experience presenting analysis findings to engineering leadership.

Nice To Haves

Ability to obtain a S//SAR-level security clearance.
Master’s or Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
Experience serving as a senior technical lead on aircraft or UAV structural programs.
Hands-on involvement in flight test support and certification efforts.
Experience contributing to internal analysis standards or best practices.
Familiarity with CAD, PLM, and enterprise engineering toolchains.

Responsibilities

Lead structural analysis efforts for UAV airframes, major substructures, and critical components within a program scope.
Define and execute finite element modeling approaches, load cases, assumptions, and margin assessments.
Perform and oversee static, modal, fatigue, vibration, and damage-tolerance analyses.
Establish sound practices for hand calculations, model validation, and analysis-to-test correlation.
Drive structural optimization across performance, weight, cost, and manufacturability targets.
Support structural test strategy by defining requirements, participating in execution, and correlating results to analysis.
Review structural analysis deliverables, test reports, and technical documentation for design reviews.
Mentor and technically guide structural analysts across varying experience levels.
Partner with design, loads, aero, propulsion, and systems teams to balance structural requirements with overall aircraft performance goals.
Contribute to evolving analysis methodologies and improving structural standards within the organization.