Staff Engineer, Structural Designer (R4937)

Shield AI•Dallas, TX

13d

About The Position

Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company founded in 2015, focused on protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. The company develops products like the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and Hivemind Vision. With a global presence, Shield AI's technology is actively used worldwide. This role is for a passionate and innovative product design engineer to contribute to state-of-the-art AI and aircraft products. As a Mechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for the mechanical design and development of Shield AI's autonomous UAV products, architecting new products, and performing detailed design of complex structural systems for the launch and recovery vehicle. You will utilize best-in-class design and analysis tools, collaborate with partners to prototype, test, and release products, and ensure product features meet performance, schedule, and reliability goals. The role involves ensuring structural integrity, manufacturability, and mission-readiness for advanced autonomous aircraft platforms. This position is ideal for an experienced aerospace mechanical engineer who thrives in fast-paced, high-ownership environments and is passionate about building impactful systems.

Requirements

B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering
7+ years in mechanical or mechanism design for ground vehicles
Strong CAD skills (NX preferred)
Kinematic analysis and optimization
Structural analysis utilizing hand calculations and finite element methods
FEA analysis: Modal, non-linear and linear, buckling, fatigue
GD&T and tolerance stack-ups for mechanical systems
Materials selection inclusive of alloys, heat treatments, allowables, and finishes
Ability to work independently in fast-paced, cross-functional teams
A demonstrated record of working hard, being trustworthy, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others

Nice To Haves

Experience with UAVs, aircraft, or robotic systems
Familiarity with electro-mechanical actuators
Proficiency in FMEA, DOE, and root cause analysis
Hands-on machine shop or mechanic experience (professional or hobby)
MIL-STD-810, structural, or actuated mechanism testing experience
Ability to thrive in startup, R&D, or defense innovation environments

Responsibilities

Design complex structures for the autonomous aircraft launch and recovery system
Own the full design process: concept, CAD, tolerance analysis, material selection, and drawing release
Perform structural and kinematic calculations and preliminary FEA
Prototype, test, and iterate mechanism designs for functionality and reliability
Collaborate with electrical, avionics, flight controls, manufacturing, and test teams
Support pre-production builds, prototype integration, and ground/flight testing on the pathway to production and field deployment
Participate in design reviews, architecture discussions, and technical decision-making forums related to structural systems
Identify opportunities to improve design processes, configuration management, and team workflows for increased engineering velocity and design quality