Staff Engineer, Aircraft Configuration Design - Ranger (R6298)

Shield AI
Seattle, WA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Aimed at mid-to-senior level aerospace engineers who can work in cross-functional teams and have experience with UAV design and CAD modeling.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 7+ years of experience in aircraft design and integration
    — “Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience in aircraft design, configuration layout, or airframe integration”
  • Individuals who can transition between concept development and manufacturing feasibility
    — “Work closely with manufacturing and production teams to transition designs from concept to prototype and full-scale production”

Things to consider

  • Active Secret clearance is mandatory, which may limit eligibility for some candidates
    — “Active Secret clearance”
  • The role demands a strong commitment to in-person collaboration and rapid prototyping efforts
    — “Support rapid prototyping and wind tunnel testing of scaled models to validate design concepts”

How to stand out

  • Emphasize experience with multi-disciplinary integration in your resume and interviews
    — “Work with multi-disciplinary engineering teams (mechanical, electrical, propulsion, avionics) to ensure seamless system integration”
  • Highlight your ability to perform FEA, CFD, or weight & balance assessments in your application materials
    — “Ability to perform basic FEA, CFD, or weight & balance assessments”
  • Demonstrate familiarity with UAV-specific design challenges and solutions
    — “Experience with UAV design or aircraft conceptual design”
  • Showcase your technical documentation and communication skills with specific examples
    — “Excellent communication and technical documentation skills”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

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

What success looks like

  • conceptual and preliminary design of UAV platforms
  • support aircraft sizing and weight estimation
  • participate in design reviews and prototype development
  • assist in requirements development and verification planning
  • ensure designs comply with aerospace industry standards
Typical background
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering7+ years of related experience in aircraft design

Skills & requirements

Required

Aerospace EngineeringMechanical EngineeringSystems EngineeringCAD ModelingFEACFDWeight & Balance AssessmentsAircraft DesignAirframe IntegrationAerodynamicsStructuresPropulsion System Integration

Preferred

UAV DesignAircraft Performance ModelingStability & ControlFlight DynamicsRapid PrototypingWind Tunnel TestingFlight Hardware DevelopmentManufacturing TechniquesComposite MaterialsAerospace Structural Design Principles

Stack & domain

CAD Modeling (NX, Solidworks)Aircraft AerodynamicsStructuresPropulsion System IntegrationFEACFDWeight & Balance AssessmentsProblem-solvingAttention To DetailCommunicationTechnical DocumentationAerospaceMechanical EngineeringSystems Engineering

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::

  • Assist in the conceptual and preliminary design of Shield AI’s newest UAV platforms, ensuring optimal aerodynamic and structural configurations.
  • Support aircraft sizing, weight estimation, and trade studies to evaluate different airframe configurations.
  • Work with multi-disciplinary engineering teams (mechanical, electrical, propulsion, avionics) to ensure seamless system integration.
  • Develop and refine 3D CAD models of aircraft structures, subsystems, and flight critical components.
  • Perform basic aerodynamic and structural analysis using computational tools to assess feasibility and performance impacts.
  • Participate in design reviews, system trade studies, and prototype development efforts.
  • Support rapid prototyping and wind tunnel testing of scaled models to validate design concepts.
  • Assist in requirements development, documentation, and verification planning for aircraft subsystems.
  • Ensure designs comply with manufacturing feasibility, mission requirements, and aerospace industry standards.
  • Work closely with manufacturing and production teams to transition designs from concept to prototype and full-scale production.

Required qualifications::

  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering (or related field).
  • Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience in aircraft design, configuration layout, or airframe integration.
  • Proficiency in CAD modeling (NX, SolidWorks, or similar) for airframe and structural design.
  • Basic understanding of aircraft aerodynamics, structures, and propulsion system integration.
  • Ability to perform basic FEA, CFD, or weight & balance assessments.
  • Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work in cross functional teams.
  • Excellent communication and technical documentation skills.
  • Active Secret clearance  

Preferred qualifications::

  • Master’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering (or related field).
  • Experience with UAV design or aircraft conceptual design.
  • Familiarity with aircraft performance modeling, stability & control, and flight dynamics.
  • Hands-on experience with rapid prototyping, wind tunnel testing, or flight hardware development.
  • Knowledge of manufacturing techniques, composite materials, and aerospace structural design principles.
  • Experience working in a fast-paced, high-tech startup or defense environment.
  • Active TS clearance or ability to gain a TS clearance.  

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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