Director of Aerostructures for X-BAT Autonomy

Shieldai; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Director of Aerostructures for the X-BAT program in Seattle to lead the strategy, architecture, development, integration, and scaling of advanced aircraft structures across this ambitious autonomous aviation program.

You will oversee multidisciplinary structural engineering teams responsible for metallic and composite primary structures, subsystem integration, manufacturability, structural analysis, and flight-worthy execution from prototype through production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 12+ years of aerospace structural engineering experience with leadership responsibility on advanced aircraft programs.
• Deep expertise in aircraft primary structures, composites, metallic design, structural analysis, and integration.
• Experience leading teams through full aircraft development cycles from conceptual design through flight test and production.
• Strong understanding of aircraft loads, stress analysis, fatigue, durability, and structural substantiation methodologies.
• Experience collaborating across highly integrated aerospace development organizations.
• Proven ability to recruit, develop, and scale high-performing engineering teams.
• Experience operating in fast-paced development environments with aggressive technical schedules.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.
• Experience with autonomous aircraft, tactical aviation, unmanned systems, or defense aerospace platforms.
• Expertise in composite airframe manufacturing and high-rate production methodologies.
• Background supporting low observable, survivability, or expeditionary aircraft design considerations.
• Familiarity with military airworthiness standards and defense acquisition environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the aerostructures organization for the X-BAT program, including design, analysis, integration, testing, and certification strategy.
• Drive development of lightweight, manufacturable, survivable aircraft structures optimized for autonomous combat aircraft operations.
• Partner closely with flight sciences, propulsion, avionics, manufacturing, autonomy, flight test, and supply chain teams to deliver integrated aircraft solutions.
• Establish engineering processes, design standards, configuration management, and structural development roadmaps across the program lifecycle.
• Lead structural trade studies balancing weight, performance, cost, producibility, maintainability, and mission requirements.
• Oversee development and validation of composite and metallic airframe structures, including primary load-bearing assemblies.
• Build and mentor a world-class aerostructures engineering team capable of rapid execution and technical excellence.
• Support transition from development programs into scalable production environments.
• Drive root-cause analysis and corrective action efforts for structural, manufacturing, and flight-test findings.
• Present technical reviews, program risks, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and external stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Aerospace structural engineering

Composite/metallic design

Structural analysis

Program management

Cross-functional collaboration

Production transition experience

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering or related discipline

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Director of Aerostructures for the X-BAT program in Seattle to lead the strategy, architecture, development, integration, and scaling of advanced aircraft structures across this ambitious autonomous aviation program.

You will oversee multidisciplinary structural engineering teams responsible for metallic and composite primary structures, subsystem integration, manufacturability, structural analysis, and flight-worthy execution from prototype through production.