Director of Avionics Mechanical Eng – Flight Hardware, Equity

Shield; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 265,000 - 398,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Director of Avionics Mechanical Engineering to lead the organization responsible for mechanical, thermal, and EWIS design for the X-BAT family and ground equipment. You'll set the technical strategy and lead managers and technical leads to deliver flight-critical electro-mechanical hardware from concept through production.

As a senior member of the avionics leadership team, you will partner with engineering, program, and operations leaders to shape architecture, schedule,

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 15+ years of mechanical design around electronics and electrical systems, including hands-on enclosure, thermal, and harness integration.
• 5+ years of people leadership, including managers or multiple teams.
• Proven record of delivering avionics or electro-mechanical hardware from concept through production.
• Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical vision, strategy, and roadmap for mechanical, thermal, and EWIS across X-BAT flight and ground avionics.
• Build and scale a multi-team organization with managers and leads; plan headcount to meet goals.
• Deliver complex electro-mechanical hardware that survives harsh environments from architecture to production.
• Set engineering standards and processes for thermal, mechanical, and harness design of flight-critical avionics.
• Act as final technical authority on mechanical/thermal architecture and raise risks with clear recommendations.
• Partner with EE, RF, PCB design, reliability, structures, supply chain, and manufacturing to drive full product delivery.
• Own planning inputs such as resourcing, schedules, supplier strategies, and make-vs-buy decisions.
• Foster a culture of ownership, rigor, and accountability.
• Must have done hands-on design earlier in career to define 'right' for org.

Skills

Leadership

Avionics packaging

FEA

Thermal analysis

Fatigue & lifecycle testing

Security clearance

Education

B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Director of Avionics Mechanical Engineering to lead the organization responsible for mechanical, thermal, and EWIS design for the X-BAT family and ground equipment. You'll set the technical strategy and lead managers and technical leads to deliver flight-critical electro-mechanical hardware from concept through production.

As a senior member of the avionics leadership team, you will partner with engineering, program, and operations leaders to shape architecture, schedule,