Senior Staff Engineer, Structural Analysis - Ranger (R6300)

Shield AI
Seattle, WA
On-site

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have 10+ years in aerospace structural analysis and experience with composite materials.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 10+ years in aerospace structural analysis and leadership experience
    — “10+ years of experience in structural analysis, aircraft structures, or aerospace systems.”
  • Individuals with hands-on experience in structural testing and flight validation
    — “Experience supporting structural testing, model correlation, and flight test validation.”
  • Professionals adept at mentoring and guiding teams across experience levels
    — “Mentor and technically guide structural analysts across varying experience levels.”

Things to consider

  • Security clearance is a desired but unmentioned requirement for the role
    — “Ability to get a S//SAR level security clearance desired.”
  • Candidates must be prepared for potential location-based salary adjustments
    — “Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to ... specific work location.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight your experience in driving structural optimization and standards
    — “Drive structural optimization across performance, weight, cost, and manufacturability targets.”
  • Emphasize your ability to lead technical workstreams and influence design
    — “Ability to lead complex technical workstreams and influence design decisions within a program.”
  • Showcase your background in composite and lightweight aerospace structures
    — “Significant experience with composite and lightweight aerospace structures.”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

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

What success looks like

  • UAV airframes
  • structural optimization
  • structural standards
Typical background
10+ years in structural analysisaerospace systems

Skills & requirements

Required

Structural AnalysisFinite Element ModelingHand CalculationsModel ValidationStructural OptimizationStructural Testing

Preferred

Composite StructuresFlight Test SupportInternal Analysis Standards

Stack & domain

Structural AnalysisUAV AirframesSubstructuresCritical ComponentsFinite Element ModelingLoad CasesAssumptionsMargin AssessmentsStaticModalFatigueVibrationDamage-toleranceHand CalculationsModel ValidationAnalysis-to-test CorrelationStructural OptimizationPerformanceWeightCostManufacturabilityStructural Test StrategyRequirementsExecutionCorrelationResultsTechnical DocumentationDesign ReviewsMentorshipCross-functional CollaborationDesignLoadsAeroPropulsionSystemsAnalysis MethodologiesStructural StandardsFEA ToolsAnsysNastranHyperworksStrengthStabilityDamage ToleranceCompositeLightweight Aerospace StructuresStructural TestingModel CorrelationFlight Test ValidationComplex Technical WorkstreamsInfluence Design DecisionsCommunicationPresentationAnalysis FindingsEngineering LeadershipS//sar Level Security ClearanceLeadershipProblem-solvingTeamworkDefense-techHivemind Autonomy SoftwareV-batX-bat AircraftAechelon SimulationSynthetic Reality Technologies

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::

  • 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, including 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 cross-functionally 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.

Required qualifications::

  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
  • 10+ years of experience in structural analysis, aircraft structures, or aerospace systems.
  • Strong expertise with FEA tools (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.
  • Ability to get a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

Preferred qualifications::

  • 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.

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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