Senior Staff Engineer, Mechanical & Actuated Systems (R6307)

Shield AI
Seattle, WA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward experienced mechanical engineers comfortable with full design lifecycle and cross-functional collaboration, with a focus on aerospace and defense innovation in Seattle.

Best fit for

  • Experienced mechanical engineers with a track record in full design lifecycle and aerospace systems
    — “Own the full design process: concept, CAD design, analysis, tolerance stackups, material selection, and drawing release”
  • Candidates with hands-on experience in prototyping and testing mechanical systems
    — “Prototype, test, and iterate mechanism designs for functionality and reliability”
  • Individuals who thrive in startup and R&D environments with a background in defense innovation
    — “Ability to thrive in startup, R&D, or defense innovation environments”

Things to consider

  • Background checks and possible reference checks are mandatory for employment
    — “All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check”
  • This role is not open to military fellows or part-time employees for benefits
    — “Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with structural analysis and FEA in your resume and interviews
    — “Structural analysis utilizing hand calculations and finite element methods”
  • Emphasize your ability to mentor and lead junior engineers in your application materials
    — “Mentor junior engineers and help set technical direction and promote technical excellence”
  • Showcase your CAD proficiency, especially with NX, and your tolerance stack-up expertise
    — “Strong CAD skills (NX preferred) and GD&T and tolerance stack-ups for mechanical systems”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • design complex electro-mechanical or hydro-mechanical mechanisms for autonomous aircraft
  • mentor junior engineers
Typical background
B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering10+ years in mechanical or mechanism design

Skills & requirements

Required

Mechanical DesignCAD DesignStructural AnalysisFEA AnalysisGD&T And Tolerance Stack-upsMaterials Selection

Preferred

Experience With Uavs, Aircraft, Or Robotic SystemsFmea, DOE, And Root Cause AnalysisHands-on Machine Shop Or Mechanic Experience

Stack & domain

Mechanical Or Mechanism DesignCAD DesignStructural And Kinematic CalculationsFEA AnalysisGD&T And Tolerance Stack-upsMaterials SelectionAbility To Work Independently In Fast-paced, Cross-functional TeamsCollaboration With Cross-functional TeamsMentorship Of Junior EngineersTechnical Excellence PromotionPre-production SupportPrototype IntegrationGround/flight Testing SupportDefenseAutonomous Aircraft

About the role

Original posting from Shield AI via Lever

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. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

What you'll do::

  • Design complex electro-mechanical or hydro-mechanical mechanisms for autonomous aircraft
  • Own the full design process: concept, CAD design, analysis, tolerance stackups, 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
  • Mentor junior engineers and help set technical direction and promote technical excellence
  • Support pre-production builds, prototype integration, and ground/flight testing

Required qualifications::

  • B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering
  • 10+ 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

Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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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.

Source: Shield AI careers (Lever)

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