Design and develop structural and mechanism systems for autonomous UAV launch/recovery. Create CAD models, perform structural and kinematic calculations and preliminary FEA, prototype and test mechanisms, support pre-production and flight testing, collaborate with cross-functional teams, participate in design reviews, and improve design processes and configuration management.
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.
Are you a passionate and innovative product design engineer looking to help develop state-of-the-art AI and aircraft products? Are you eager to make a positive difference in the world? Do you want to work alongside mission driven and values focused teammates? Shield AI is just the place for you!
As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you will be responsible for contributing to the design and development of Shield AI's autonomous UAV products. You will help architect new products, support the detailed design of complex structural systems for the launch and recovery vehicle and will use best in class design and analysis tools. You will collaborate closely with internal and/or external partners to prototype, test and release products to production. You will also help ensure product features achieve performance, schedule and reliability goals.
You’ll work across disciplines to ensure structural integrity, manufacturability, and mission-readiness in one of the most advanced autonomous aircraft platforms being built today. This role is ideal for an mechanical engineer who thrives in fast-paced, high-ownership environments and is passionate about building systems that matter.
What you'll do:
- Support the design of complex structures for the autonomous aircraft launch and recovery system
- Support the full design process: concept, CAD, tolerance analysis, material selection, and drawing release
- Perform structural and kinematic calculations and preliminary FEA
- Prototype, test, and iterate mechanism designs for functionality and reliability
- Collaborate with electrical, avionics, flight controls, manufacturing, and test teams
- Support pre-production builds, prototype integration, and ground/flight testing on the pathway to production and field deployment
- Participate in design reviews, architecture discussions, and technical decision-making forums related to structural systems.
- Identify opportunities to improve design processes, configuration management, and team workflows for increased engineering velocity and design quality.
Required qualifications:
- B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering
- 2+ years in mechanical or mechanism design for ground vehicles
- Strong CAD skills (NX preferred)
- Structural analysis utilizing hand calculations and finite element methods
- Understanding of GD&T and tolerance stack-ups for mechanical systems
- Materials selection inclusive of alloys, heat treatments, allowables, and finishes
- Ability to work independently in fast-paced, cross-functional teams
- A demonstrated record of working hard, being trustworthy, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with UAVs, aircraft, or robotic systems
- Kinematic analysis and optimization
- Familiarity with electro-mechanical actuators
- FEA analysis: Modal, non-linear and linear, buckling, fatigue
- Proficiency in FMEA, DOE, and root cause analysis
- Hands-on machine shop or mechanic experience (professional or hobby)
- MIL-STD-810, structural, or actuated mechanism testing experience
- Ability to thrive in startup, R&D, or defense innovation environments
#LI-MS1
#LB
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 affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
Similar Jobs at Shield AI
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Builds, operates, secures, and automates classified, air-gapped IT infrastructure supporting AI, simulation, and engineering workloads. Responsibilities include Windows and Linux administration, virtualization, storage, networking, identity, endpoint management, backup and recovery, vulnerability remediation, STIG compliance, logging, accreditation support, troubleshooting, documentation, facility stand-ups, and mentoring junior staff.
Top Skills:
AcasActive DirectoryAnsibleDhcpDisa StigsDnsElasticEnterprise StorageFirewallsGpu ComputingGroup PolicyHyper-VJsigNessusNist Sp 800-53Nutanix Ahv/PrismPkiPowershellPythonRed Hat Enterprise LinuxRmfScapSIEMSplunkStig ViewerTerraformVdiVirtualizationVlansVMwareWindows ServerWsus
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Leads end-to-end execution of complex autonomy-enabled UAS programs from requirements through deployment. Owns integrated planning, technical baselines, system integration, verification and testing, risk management, Agile delivery cadence, customer commitments, and executive communication. Coordinates hardware, software, autonomy, systems engineering, manufacturing, flight operations, cybersecurity, and field teams while mentoring technical leads and improving delivery predictability.
Top Skills:
AgileAIAutonomy SystemsAzure DevopsCameoConfluenceCybersecurityDoorsHivemindJamaJIRAJira AlignMicrosoft ProjectPolarionRoboticsSafeSatcomSmartsheetUas
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Leads end-to-end data enablement for Supply Chain and Manufacturing domains. Partners with business and technical stakeholders to define use cases, roadmaps, data models, semantic layers, integration requirements, quality controls, and governed data products. Builds and optimizes Databricks lakehouse pipelines using SQL, Python, PySpark, and Delta Lake across complex ERP, manufacturing, procurement, inventory, and finance systems. Establishes standards for lineage, security, documentation, reliability, and production readiness.
Top Skills:
DatabricksDelta LakeDeltek CostpointErpIfsMesMrpOraclePlmPysparkPythonSAPScmSQL
What you need to know about the Austin Tech Scene
Austin has a diverse and thriving tech ecosystem thanks to home-grown companies like Dell and major campuses for IBM, AMD and Apple. The state’s flagship university, the University of Texas at Austin, is known for its engineering school, and the city is known for its annual South by Southwest tech and media conference. Austin’s tech scene spans many verticals, but it’s particularly known for hardware, including semiconductors, as well as AI, biotechnology and cloud computing. And its food and music scene, low taxes and favorable climate has made the city a destination for tech workers from across the country.
Key Facts About Austin Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 180,500; 13.7% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Dell, IBM, AMD, Apple, Alphabet
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, hardware, cloud computing, software, healthtech
- Funding Landscape: $4.5 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Live Oak Ventures, Austin Ventures, Hinge Capital, Gigafund, KdT Ventures, Next Coast Ventures, Silverton Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: University of Texas, Southwestern University, Texas State University, Center for Complex Quantum Systems, Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, Texas Advanced Computing Center
