SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Shield AI, a venture-backed defense-tech company, is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer, Hardware Test to lead the design and development of mechanical test infrastructure for the X-BAT autonomous aircraft program. This role owns the mechanical side of hardware testing from concept through deployment, building robust test stands, fixtures, and support equipment for engineering and production-level test activities.
You will lead a small team of mechanical engineers in designing, building, and maintaining X-BAT hardware test stands and fixtures that support subsystem, integration, and qualification testing. Core responsibilities include work planning, technical direction, regular 1:1s, coaching, feedback, and performance development for team members. You will own requirements gathering, concept development, detailed design, and validation of multiple test stands used to evaluate X-BAT hardware and supporting subsystems.
Key technical responsibilities include designing fixtures, tooling, structural support hardware, and mechanical systems for engineering and production-level test applications. You will perform mechanical analyses such as hand calculations and FEA-informed assessments for strength, stiffness, thermal behavior, durability, and safety. You will define and apply industry-standard mechanical engineering practices, including GD&T, tolerance analysis, DFM/DFA, design reviews, release documentation, and configuration discipline.
You will partner with test, electrical, avionics, manufacturing, and technician teams to integrate test hardware that is safe, repeatable, maintainable, and efficient to operate. You will support fabrication and build activities by working closely with internal shops and external vendors to release, procure, assemble, and iterate hardware quickly. You will drive troubleshooting and root-cause investigations when test hardware or units under test do not perform as expected and implement corrective design improvements. Additionally, you will build team processes, documentation habits, and execution rhythms that improve quality, speed, and ownership across the hardware test function.
The ideal candidate is a strong technical leader who can manage a small team, establish sound engineering processes, and drive execution in a fast-paced hardware environment. Success requires hands-on experience with mechanical design, fixture development, analysis, fabrication support, and cross-functional coordination in support of complex aerospace hardware test programs.
REQUIREMENTS:
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM discipline (advanced degree a plus)
- Proven experience as a senior or lead mechanical engineer developing fixtures, tooling, or test stands for aerospace, defense, robotics, or other complex hardware systems
- Prior experience leading engineers and building high-performing teams, including mentoring, setting expectations, and driving accountability
- Strong mechanical design fundamentals with ability to take concepts through analysis, detailed design, fabrication, assembly, and checkout
- Proficiency with industry-standard CAD tools such as NX, SolidWorks, or CATIA, and experience releasing drawings for manufacture
- Familiarity with standard ME practices, including tolerance stack-up, materials selection, fastener design, load path evaluation, and safe machine/fixture design
- Hands-on experience in lab, prototype, or production environments, with judgment to balance analytical rigor and practical execution
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work across disciplines to translate ambiguous test needs into robust mechanical solutions
- Demonstrated ownership, strong work ethic, and track record of improving processes, raising the bar, and delivering results under schedule pressure
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with propulsion or engine-related test equipment, high-load structural fixtures, or mechanically complex aerospace ground test systems
- Familiarity with environmental or qualification testing and facility interfaces such as mounting, cooling, plumbing, or instrumentation accommodations
- Experience using analysis tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, or Nastran to support test hardware design decisions
- Comfort working directly with technicians, machine shops, and test operators to refine designs and improve ease of use in the lab
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving development program where priorities evolve and rapid iteration is expected
