Staff Engineer Aircraft Configuration Design
Shield AI is a U.S. defense-technology company developing mission-autonomy software and autonomous aircraft for military and allied operations.
Funding history
Investors
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.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will support the conceptual and preliminary design of UAV platforms. You will conduct sizing, weight, and trade studies; develop CAD models; perform aerodynamic and structural analysis; integrate aircraft systems; support prototyping and wind-tunnel testing; document requirements and verification plans; and transition designs into production.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, or a related field
- 5 years of experience in aircraft design, configuration layout, or airframe integration
- Proficiency with NX, SolidWorks, or similar CAD modeling tools
- Understanding of aircraft aerodynamics, structures, and propulsion integration
- Ability to perform basic FEA, CFD, or weight and balance assessments
- Active Secret clearance
Responsibilities
- Assist with conceptual and preliminary UAV design
- Support aircraft sizing, weight estimation, and configuration trade studies
- Integrate mechanical, electrical, propulsion, and avionics systems
- Develop and refine 3D CAD models
- Perform aerodynamic and structural analysis
- Participate in design reviews, trade studies, and prototype development
- Support rapid prototyping and wind-tunnel testing
- Assist with requirements, documentation, and verification planning
- Ensure manufacturing feasibility and compliance with mission and aerospace standards
- Transition designs to prototype and production
Benefits
- Bonus
- Benefits
- Equity