Staff Engineer, Mechanical & Actuated Systems (R5293)

Shield AI
Dallas, TX
On-site

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have 7+ years of mechanical or mechanism design experience and a background in aerospace or defense.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 7+ years of mechanical design experience and a background in aerospace or defense systems
    — “7+ years in mechanical or mechanism design”
  • Individuals who have worked on electro-mechanical or hydro-mechanical mechanisms for aircraft or robotics
    — “Design complex electro-mechanical or hydro-mechanical mechanisms for autonomous aircraft”
  • Engineers with a strong foundation in finite element analysis and structural calculations
    — “Structural analysis utilizing hand calculations and finite element methods”

Things to consider

  • Background checks and references are mandatory prerequisites for employment
    — “All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check”
  • This role requires a strong personal ethic and cultural fit with the company’s mission-driven values
    — “A demonstrated record of working hard, being trustworthy, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others”

How to stand out

  • Highlight your experience with full design cycles from concept to production-ready drawings
    — “Own the full design process: concept, CAD design, analysis, tolerance stack-ups, material selection, and drawing release”
  • Emphasize your hands-on prototyping and testing experience with mechanical systems
    — “Prototype, test, and iterate mechanism designs for functionality and reliability”
  • Demonstrate your ability to work in cross-functional teams, especially with avionics and propulsion experts
    — “Collaborate with electrical, avionics, hydraulics, flight controls, and propulsion teams”
  • Showcase your knowledge of industry standards like RTCA DO-160 and MIL-STD-810
    — “RTCA DO-160, MIL-STD-810, structural, or actuated mechanism testing experience”
  • Include experience with FMEA and DOE in your resume or interview narrative
    — “Proficiency in FMEA, DOE, and root cause analysis”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Senior

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

What success looks like

  • mechanism design
  • prototype testing
  • ground/flight testing
  • mechanism reliability
Typical background
mechanical/aerospace engineering

Skills & requirements

Required

Mechanical DesignElectro-mechanical DesignCAD DesignFEA AnalysisTolerance Stack-upsMaterial SelectionGD&T

Preferred

UavsAircraftRobotic SystemsElectro-mechanical ActuatorsFMEADOERoot Cause AnalysisMachine Shop ExperienceActuated Mechanism Testing

Stack & domain

CADFEAGD&TTolerance Stack-upsMaterials SelectionStructural AnalysisKinematic AnalysisDefenseAerospace

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. 

Job Description:

Are you a passionate and innovative product design engineer looking to help develop state-of-the-art AI and aircraft products? Are you eager to make a positive difference in the world? Do you want to work alongside mission driven and values focused teammates? Shield AI is just the place for you!

As a Mechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for contributing to the mechanical design and development of Shield AI's autonomous UAV products. You will help architect new products, perform the detailed design of complex electro-mechanical assemblies, and will use best in class design and analysis tools. You will collaborate closely with internal and/or external partners to prototype, test and release products to production. You will also help ensure product features achieve performance, schedule and reliability goals.

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 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

Required qualifications::

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

#LI-MS1

#LC

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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