Staff Engineer, Mechanical & Actuated Systems (R5293)

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.

About the role

As a Staff Mechanical & Actuated Systems Engineer, you will contribute to the mechanical design and development of Shield AI's autonomous UAV products. You will help architect mechanical and actuated systems on the X-BAT platform, perform detailed design of complex mechanical assemblies such as uplocks, doors, flight controls, landing gear, and wing fold, and use best-in-class design and analysis tools. You will collaborate closely with internal and external partners to prototype, test, and release products to production while ensuring product features achieve performance, schedule, and reliability goals.

Responsibilities

• Design complex electro-mechanical or hydro-mechanical mechanisms for autonomous aircraft
• Own the full design process: concept, CAD design, analysis, tolerance stack-ups, 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, hydraulics, flight controls, and propulsion teams
• Support pre-production builds, prototype integration, and ground/flight testing

Requirements

• B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering
• 7+ years in mechanical or mechanism design
• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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)
• RTCA DO-160, MIL-STD-810, structural, or actuated mechanism testing experience
• Ability to thrive in startup, R&D, or defense innovation environments

Pay

$130,000 - $200,000 a year

Benefits

Full-time regular employee offer package includes pay within the listed range, bonus, benefits, and equity. Temporary employee offer package includes pay within the listed range and temporary benefits (applicable after 60 days of employment). Salary compensation is influenced by factors including skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check.