Director, Avionics Mechanical Engineering

Shield; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 290,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI in Seattle is seeking a Director of Avionics Mechanical Engineering to lead the mechanical, thermal, and EWIS design for X-BAT flight and ground systems. You will shape the strategy, build a high-performing team, and own delivery from concept to production.

You will partner with electrical, RF, PCB, and reliability teams, set engineering standards, and manage resourcing and supplier strategies in a fast-paced, growth-focused environment. Security clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Five or more years leading multiple engineering teams.
• Proven track record delivering avionics or electro-mechanical hardware.
• Deep fluency in packaging, FEA, thermal analysis, fatigue testing.
• Experience setting engineering standards and processes.
• Experience with fabrication shops and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical, thermal, and EWIS roadmap for X-BAT avionics.
• Scale a multi-team organization; hire and develop managers and leads.
• Deliver complex hardware from architecture to production.
• Set engineering standards and review processes for thermal and mechanical design.
• Advise on architecture tradeoffs; elevate risks with recommendations.
• Partner with electrical, RF, PCB, reliability, and supply chain leaders.
• Plan resourcing, scheduling, supplier strategy, and make-vs-buy decisions.
• Build a culture of ownership, rigor, and accountability.
• Demonstrate design leadership from earlier career to define 'right' across org.

Skills

15+ years of mechanical design

People leadership

Build and scale engineering teams

Deliver avionics/electro-mechanical HW

Avionics packaging, FEA, thermal, life

Engineering strategy & standards

Fabrication shop/contract manufacturer

Fast-paced / agile environment

Secret clearance eligibility

Education

B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Job description

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.

Shield AI is looking for a Director of Avionics Mechanical Engineering to build and lead the organization responsible for all mechanical, thermal, and harnessing (EWIS) design for the X-BAT aircraft and ground equipment. You’ll set the technical strategy and organizational structure, develop managers and technical leads, and be accountable for delivering flight-critical electro-mechanical hardware from concept through production. As a senior member of the avionics leadership team, you’ll partner with engineering, program, and operations leaders to shape architecture, schedule, and resourcing decisions. Leaders at Shield are expected to have strong technical fundamentals and a real history of hands-on design.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Own the technical vision, strategy, and roadmap for mechanical, thermal, and EWIS engineering across X-BAT flight and ground avionics

• Build and scale a multi-team organization: hire and develop managers and technical leads, define org structure, and plan headcount to meet near- and long-term program goals

• Be accountable for your organization’s delivery of complex electro‑mechanical hardware that survives harsh environments, from architecture through qualification and production

• Set engineering standards, design review practices, and processes for thermal, mechanical, and harness design of flight-critical avionics

• Serve as the final technical authority on key mechanical and thermal architecture tradeoffs, and elevate risk to program leadership with clear recommendations

• Partner with electrical engineering, RF, PCB design, reliability, structures, supply chain, and manufacturing leaders to drive full-scoped product delivery

• Own organizational planning inputs, including resourcing, schedule commitments, supplier and contract manufacturer strategy, and make-vs-buy decisions

• Build a culture of extreme ownership, technical rigor, and accountability

• You won’t design as an individual contributor. You must have done that work earlier in your career so you can establish what “right” looks like across the organization.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

• 15+ years of experience in mechanical design around electronics and electrical systems, including significant early-career, hands-on design of enclosures, thermal solutions, and harness integration

• 5+ years of people leadership, including managing managers or leading multiple engineering teams

• Proven record of building and scaling engineering teams through rapid growth

• Record of delivering complex avionics or electro-mechanical hardware from concept through production

• Deep technical fluency in avionics packaging, FEA, thermal analysis, and fatigue and lifecycle testing

• Experience setting engineering strategy, standards, and processes across an organization

• Experience managing relationships with fabrication shops, contract manufacturers, and key suppliers

• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, agile environment with shifting priorities

• A demonstrated record of working hard, being trustworthy, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others

• Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience leading hardware teams on aircraft, spacecraft, launch vehicles, or defense platforms

• Background in high-rate hardware production, such as satellites, EV power electronics, or autonomous vehicles

• Experience with DO-160, MIL-STD-810, or similar environmental qualification standards

• Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or equivalent Engineering

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 toequal 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.