Staff Engineer, Mechanical & Actuated Systems (R5293)

As a Staff Mechanical & Actuated Systems Engineer at Shield AI, you will contribute to the mechanical design and development of autonomous UAV products, specifically the X-BAT platform. You will architect and design complex mechanical assemblies such as uplocks, doors, flight controls, landing gear, and wing fold, using advanced design and analysis tools. You will collaborate with internal and external partners to prototype, test, and release products to production, ensuring performance, schedule, and reliability goals are met.

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

Nice to have

• 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

Benefits

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