Director, Mechanical Systems - Autonomous Aircraft

Shield AI; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 265,000 - 370,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Director of X-BAT Mechanical Systems to lead engineering managers and senior technical leaders responsible for mechanical systems and mechanical test on X-BAT. You will oversee Mechanical Engineering and Air Vehicle Systems across Group 5 aircraft programs, establishing strategy, building capability, and ensuring design maturity from architecture through flight readiness.

The role requires deep aerospace mechanical systems expertise, proven leadership, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of engineering managers and senior technical leaders.
• Strong communication across engineering, program leadership, and external stakeholders.
• Broad credibility across aircraft mechanical systems including connections to testing and integration.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical systems and mechanical test for X-BAT across Group 5 aircraft.
• Define structure, ownership, and resource alignment with program priorities.
• Recruit, coach, and develop engineering managers and senior leaders.
• Set technical strategy and roadmaps for landing gear, actuation, hydraulics, environmental control, and thermal management.
• Lead architecture and trade studies balancing performance, safety, mass, power, and cost.
• Collaborate with adjacent teams to resolve interfaces and manage dependencies.
• Oversee requirements, design, hardware development, integration, and flight readiness.
• Establish design review expectations, verification, risk management, and configuration control.
• Build test capability with facilities, instrumentation, and data analysis.
• Guide supplier strategy and ensure quality and execution.
• Coordinate with manufacturing, ground and flight test leadership for integrated systems.

Skills

Leadership experience

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Director of X-BAT Mechanical Systems to lead engineering managers and senior technical leaders responsible for mechanical systems and mechanical test on X-BAT. You will oversee Mechanical Engineering and Air Vehicle Systems across Group 5 aircraft programs, establishing strategy, building capability, and ensuring design maturity from architecture through flight readiness.

The role requires deep aerospace mechanical systems expertise, proven leadership, and the ability to