Director Mechanical Systems X-BAT

Shield AI is a U.S. defense-technology company developing mission-autonomy software and autonomous aircraft for military and allied operations.

Series F+Recently funded
San Diego, United States
About Shield AI

Founded in 2015, Shield AI builds Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft for operations in contested, GPS- and communications-denied environments. Its current site also presents Aechelon synthetic-reality simulation and Vision Systems detection and tracking products.

View jobs by Shield AI

Skills

Candidate Availability

Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.

About the Role

You will lead the X-BAT mechanical systems and test organization, develop engineering leaders, and establish technical strategy for mechanical systems. You will oversee architecture, design, integration, qualification, test, suppliers, and flight readiness while balancing performance, safety, reliability, cost, and schedule.

Requirements

  • Have a bachelor's degree or higher in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical discipline
  • Have 15+ years of relevant aerospace mechanical systems, air vehicle systems, or complex hardware development experience
  • Have substantial experience managing engineering managers and senior technical leaders
  • Demonstrate expertise in aircraft mechanical systems, including landing gear, actuation, mechanisms, environmental control, or thermal management
  • Have experience with hardware development, systems integration, verification, supplier execution, manufacturing, and flight test
  • Be a U.S. citizen

Responsibilities

  • Lead and develop the X-BAT mechanical systems and mechanical test organization
  • Define organizational structure, ownership, authority, talent, and resource allocation
  • Recruit, coach, and develop engineering managers and technical leaders
  • Establish technical strategy and roadmaps for aircraft mechanical systems
  • Lead aircraft-level architecture and trade studies
  • Oversee requirements, design, hardware development, integration, qualification, ground test, and flight readiness
  • Establish design review, verification, risk management, and configuration-control practices
  • Build mechanical test capabilities, including facilities, fixtures, instrumentation, procedures, and data analysis
  • Guide supplier strategy and hold suppliers accountable for execution
  • Align manufacturing, ground test, and flight test resources

Benefits

  • Bonus
  • Equity