Senior Staff Engineer, Mechanical Design · Shield AI

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:06:10 GMT
Engineering

Shield AI · Dallas, Texas / San Diego, California · $166,632 - $249,948 per year · onsite
Are you a skilled Mechanical Engineer looking to contribute to the development of state-of-the-art AI and aircraft products? Shield AI is seeking a Senior Staff Engineer, Mechanical Design to join our team. As a key member of our X-BAT Division, you will be responsible for designing complex electro-mechanical mechanisms for autonomous aircraft, owning the full design process from concept to drawing release, and collaborating with internal and external partners to prototype, test, and release products to production. Key responsibilities include: * Designing complex electro-mechanical mechanisms for autonomous aircraft * Performing structural and kinematic calculations and preliminary FEA * Prototyping, testing, and iterating mechanism designs for functionality and reliability * Collaborating with electrical, avionics, flight controls, and propulsion teams * Mentoring junior engineers and promoting engineering excellence Requirements include: * 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 Preferred qualifications include experience with UAVs, aircraft, or robotic systems, familiarity with electro-mechanical actuators, and proficiency in FMEA, DOE, and root cause analysis. In return for your expertise, you will receive a competitive salary within the range of $166,632 - $249,948 per year, plus bonus, benefits, and equity.