Aerostructures Design Manager — Autonomous Aircraft

Shield; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking an Aerostructures Design Manager to lead the design and development of high‑performance structural components for our autonomous aircraft platforms, from concept through production release.

You will oversee structural integrity, manufacturability, and system integration, working across a leadingStructures team and collaborating with systems engineering, manufacturing, and supplier partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in aircraft structural design or closely related aerospace structures.
• Experience with team leadership as a project or IPT style team lead
• Experience designing and releasing structural components in development or production environments.
• Working knowledge of composite and metallic structures, including fasteners, bonded joints, and load paths.
• Proficiency in CAD tools (NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, or similar).
• Understanding of GD&T, tolerance stackups, and DFMA principles.
• Strong written and verbal technical communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in fast-paced, high-ownership engineering environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of high-performance structural components.
• Ensure structural integrity, manufacturability, and system integration across platforms.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Structures, Systems, and Manufacturing teams.
• Mentor and guide a design team through concept to production release.

Skills

Technical leadership

Aerospace structural design

DFMA principles

GD&T

Technical communication

Fast-paced environment

Structural analysis knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

Shield AI is seeking an Aerostructures Design Manager to lead the design and development of high‑performance structural components for our autonomous aircraft platforms, from concept through production release.

You will oversee structural integrity, manufacturability, and system integration, working across a leadingStructures team and collaborating with systems engineering, manufacturing, and supplier partners.