Lead Mechanical Engineer, Hardware Test

Shield; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 128,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI in Dallas, TX is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer, Hardware Test to lead development of mechanical test infrastructure for X-BAT hardware. You will own the mechanical testing—from concept to deployment—and build robust stands, fixtures, and support equipment for engineering and production‑level test activities.

The ideal candidate is a strong technical leader who can manage a small team, establish sound engineering processes, and drive execution in a fast‑paced hardware environment.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM; advanced degree is a plus.
• Experience as a senior/lead mechanical engineer developing fixtures, tooling, or test stands for aerospace/defense hardware.
• Experience leading engineers, mentoring, and driving accountability in a team.
• Strong design fundamentals to take concepts through analysis, design, fabrication, assembly, and checkout.
• Proficiency with CAD tools like NX, SolidWorks, or CATIA and releasing drawings for manufacture.
• Hands-on lab/production experience and ability to balance analysis with practical execution.
• Excellent communication across disciplines to translate needs into robust mechanical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of mechanical engineers to design, build, and maintain X-BAT hardware test stands and fixtures.
• Provide technical direction, planning, coaching, and performance development for the team.
• Own requirements, concept development, detailed design, and validation of multiple test stands.
• Design fixtures, tooling, structural support hardware for test applications.
• Perform mechanical analyses including hand calculations and FEA-informed assessments.
• Apply GD&T, tolerance analysis, DFM/DFA, and release documentation.
• Collaborate with test, electrical, avionics, manufacturing, and technicians to ensure safe, repeatable hardware.
• Support fabrication with internal shops and external vendors to release, procure, assemble, iterate.
• Drive root-cause investigations and implement design improvements.
• Build processes, documentation habits, and execution rhythms to improve quality and speed.

Skills

Mechanical leadership

Team management

Mechanical design

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Advanced degree a plus

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

CATIA

FEA

Job description

Shield AI in Dallas, TX is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer, Hardware Test to lead development of mechanical test infrastructure for X-BAT hardware. You will own the mechanical testing—from concept to deployment—and build robust stands, fixtures, and support equipment for engineering and production‑level test activities.

The ideal candidate is a strong technical leader who can manage a small team, establish sound engineering processes, and drive execution in a fast‑paced hardware environment.