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Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company developing autonomous systems, aircraft platforms (V-BAT, X-BAT), and simulation technologies for military and civilian applications. This Staff-level mechanical engineering role focuses on systems integration leadership across the full aircraft development lifecycle.
You will provide technical leadership for integrating major aircraft systems, establishing subsystem installation architectures, and guiding multidisciplinary engineering teams through complex integration challenges spanning structures, avionics, propulsion, electrical systems, manufacturing, and supplier coordination. Your scope extends beyond immediate assignments—you will develop integration strategies, improve engineering processes, and mentor engineers across multiple programs.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading mechanical integration of complete aircraft subsystems from concept through production, ensuring compatibility across structural, electrical, avionics, propulsion, and manufacturing interfaces
- Developing installation architecture for complex aircraft systems, including subsystem packaging, equipment mounting, and routing of electrical and fluid systems
- Leading design of complex machined, composite, fabricated, and sheet metal assemblies requiring advanced engineering judgment
- Developing and reviewing installation drawings, assembly documentation, and configuration baselines
- Performing advanced tolerance analyses, structural hand calculations, and engineering trade studies
- Coordinating subsystem integration during prototype builds, aircraft assembly, and production
- Mentoring junior engineers in CAD modeling, GD&T application, installation design, and best practices
- Coordinating suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve technical issues affecting integration, manufacturability, schedule, or cost
- Supporting technical planning, schedule development, and project execution
You are a recognized technical leader trusted to solve the organization's most challenging multidisciplinary integration problems, with exceptional engineering judgment and a track record of driving improvements in aircraft design, manufacturability, reliability, and engineering execution.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
- 5+ years of experience in aircraft, aerospace, defense, robotics, or complex electromechanical system development
- Demonstrated experience designing machined, fabricated, composite, and sheet metal components from concept through production release
- Demonstrated experience leading mechanical integration of aircraft subsystems or complex assemblies
- Advanced CAD proficiency with NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, or equivalent
- Experience managing engineering data, product structures, Bills of Material (BOMs), and drawing releases using PLM systems (Teamcenter, Windchill, 3DEXPERIENCE, or equivalent)
- Working knowledge of aircraft installation practices, subsystem packaging, interface management, equipment mounting, and maintainability considerations
- Experience developing installation layouts and routing solutions for EWIS, hydraulic, fuel, pneumatic, ECS, or similar mechanical systems
- Experience developing part drawings, assembly drawings, and installation drawings
- Working knowledge of EWIS, hydraulic, fuel, pneumatic, or ECS routing design
- Strong knowledge of GD&T, ASME Y14.5, tolerance stack-up, and drawing release processes
- Experience supporting manufacturing, prototype builds, production issue resolution, or MRB activity
- Ability to coordinate across Manufacturing, Stress, Systems, Avionics, Supply Chain, and Test teams
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Aircraft integration experience on UAV, military, commercial, eVTOL, or autonomous aircraft programs
- Experience performing structural hand calculations, margin assessments, or preliminary stress analysis
- Experience with FEA (static, modal, vibration, fatigue, or thermal analysis)
- Hands-on experience supporting build, production, testing, or hardware validation activities
- Experience managing technical scope, schedule, risk, or supplier coordination for subsystem work packages
- Familiarity with aircraft-level requirements, interface control, and configuration management
