Senior Staff Engineer, Mechanisms (R4857)

What you’ll do:

• Design complex mechanical mechanisms for autonomous aircraft
• Own the full design process: concept, CAD, tolerance analysis, 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, flight controls, and propulsion teams
• Mentor junior engineers and promote engineering excellence
• Support pre‑production builds, prototype integration, and ground/flight testing

Required qualifications:

• B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering
• 8+ 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 and lead 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 hydraulic and 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

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture‑backed deep‑tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V‑BAT and X‑BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the 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.