Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. Job Description: We are seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer who can lead complex hardware efforts from concept through deployment. This individual will own mechanical design and system integration while developing high-quality, production-ready engineering definitions. The ideal candidate combines system-level technical leadership with deep, hands-on experience in 3D CAD, 2D production drawings, advanced GD&T, material selection, and manufacturing processes. This role will integrate electronics, RF systems, and composite structures into rugged, field-ready airborne platforms. Full-time regular employee offer package: Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity Temporary employee offer package: Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment) Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information. ### Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an...
Responsibilities:
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Lead mechanical design and integration for airborne or ruggedized systems from concept through production and field deployment.
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Develop and review complex 3D CAD models, assemblies, interfaces, 2D production drawings, BOMs, and release packages.
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Establish functional datum structures, apply advanced GD&T, and perform tolerance analyses to ensure fit, function, interchangeability, and inspectability.
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Own system-level packaging of electronics, including radios, antennas, PCBAs, and harnessing.
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Design components and assemblies using metallics, plastics, composites, elastomers, adhesives, and other engineering materials.
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Select appropriate materials and manufacturing processes based on structural, thermal, environmental, producibility, cost, and schedule requirements.
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Design for manufacturing processes including CNC machining, additive manufacturing, injection molding, composite fabrication, sheet metal, and bonded assembly.
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Drive cross-functional collaboration across electrical, RF, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and test teams.
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Serve as technical or project lead on select efforts, managing scope, schedule, risk, and technical execution.
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Lead design reviews and guide structural, thermal, tolerance, environmental, and manufacturability analyses.
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Support prototype builds, qualification, production integration, troubleshooting, and root-cause investigations.
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Ensure designs meet reliability, manufacturability, inspectability, maintainability, and performance requirements.
Requirements:
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Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field.
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8+ years of mechanical design and product-development experience, including demonstrated ownership of complex products or subsystems from concept through production.
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Advanced proficiency in GD&T and ASME Y14.5, including functional datum selection, position, profile, form and orientation controls, composite feature control frames, tolerance-zone modifiers, and design for inspection.
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Deep experience creating and releasing detailed 2D production drawings for complex parts and assemblies, demonstrated through a substantial body of work
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Strong proficiency with a production CAD platform such as NX, Creo, CATIA, SolidWorks, or Inventor, including complex part modeling, large assemblies, drawing creation, and revision-controlled release.
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Experience developing hardware using a broad range of materials, including metallics, engineering plastics, composites, elastomers, and structural adhesives.
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Practical design-for-manufacturing experience across multiple processes, including CNC machining, additive manufacturing, injection molding, composite fabrication, sheet metal, and bonded or mechanically fastened assembly.
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Strong understanding of material selection, tolerance analysis, manufacturing variation, assembly processes, and inspection methods.
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Proven ability to work cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, electrical engineering, supply chain, technicians, suppliers, and machine shops.
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Demonstrated ability to independently lead technical decisions and resolve complex design, manufacturing, and integration problems.
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Experience with Siemens NX and Teamcenter.
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Experience designing and integrating airborne, aerospace, defense, or other ruggedized hardware.