Lead Mechanical Engineer, Hardware Test Aerospace Fixtures

Shield; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI seeks a Lead Mechanical Engineer, Hardware Test to spearhead the design and deployment of mechanical test infrastructure for X-BAT hardware. You will build robust test stands, fixtures, and support equipment, while leading a small team and shaping engineering processes in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on mechanical design, fixture development, analysis, and cross-functional coordination across test, electrical, avionics, and manufacturing teams to drive

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field; advanced degree a plus.
• Proven experience as a senior or lead mechanical engineer developing fixtures, tooling, or test stands for aerospace/defense hardware.
• Experience leading engineers and building high-performance teams, including mentoring and accountability.
• Strong design fundamentals; capable of taking concepts through analysis, detailed design, fabrication, and checkout.
• Proficiency with CAD tools (NX, SolidWorks, CATIA) and releasing drawings for manufacture.
• Familiarity with tolerance stack-up, materials selection, fastener design, load paths, and safe fixture design.
• Hands-on lab/prod environment experience; balance rigor with practical execution.
• Excellent communication across disciplines to translate needs into robust solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of mechanical engineers designing and maintaining X-BAT hardware test stands and fixtures for subsystem and qualification testing.
• Provide work planning, technical direction, 1:1s, coaching, and performance development for team members.
• Own requirements, concept development, detailed design, and validation of multiple test stands for X-BAT hardware.
• Design fixtures, tooling, and structural support hardware for engineering and production test use.
• Conduct mechanical analyses, including hand calculations and FEA-informed assessments for strength, stiffness, and thermal behavior.
• Apply industry-standard ME practices (GD&T, tolerance analysis, DFM/DFA, design reviews, documentation).
• Collaborate with test, electrical, avionics, manufacturing, and technician teams to integrate safe, repeatable test hardware.
• Support fabrication with internal shops and external vendors; release, procure, assemble, iterate hardware quickly.
• Drive root-cause investigations and implement design improvements; build team processes and documentation.

Skills

Leadership

Aerospace hardware

Mechanical design

CAD tools

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

CATIA

Job description

Shield AI seeks a Lead Mechanical Engineer, Hardware Test to spearhead the design and deployment of mechanical test infrastructure for X-BAT hardware. You will build robust test stands, fixtures, and support equipment, while leading a small team and shaping engineering processes in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on mechanical design, fixture development, analysis, and cross-functional coordination across test, electrical, avionics, and manufacturing teams to drive