Staff Engineer, Mechanical & Actuated Systems (R5293)

As a Staff Mechanical & Actuated Systems Engineer, you will contribute to the mechanical design and development of Shield AI's autonomous UAV products. You will architect mechanical and actuated systems on the X-BAT platform, perform detailed design of complex assemblies like uplocks, doors, flight controls, landing gear, and wing fold, and use best-in-class 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

• 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.