Lead UAV Aircraft Configuration Engineer

f7d8749a-72d6-407c-bf98-292ea630c73a; San Diego (CA); In loco; USD 144.000 - 210.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Shield AI is seeking an Aircraft Configuration Design Engineer to support the development of next-generation autonomous UAVs. You will help design, optimize, and integrate aircraft configurations to balance aerodynamics, structure, propulsion, and mission systems for performance and manufacturability.

The role suits a mechanical or aerospace engineer with passion for advanced aircraft design, multidisciplinary integration, and rapid prototyping in a fast-paced defense tech environment.

Competenze

• Bachelor's degree required in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering or related field.
• 5 years of experience in aircraft design, configuration layout, or airframe integration.
• Proficiency in CAD modeling (NX, SolidWorks) for airframe and structural design.
• Basic understanding of aircraft aerodynamics, structures, and propulsion system integration.
• Ability to perform basic FEA, CFD, or weight & balance assessments.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in crossfunctional teams.
• Excellent communication and technical documentation skills.
• Active Secret clearance.

Mansioni

• Assist in conceptual and preliminary design of UAV platforms, ensuring optimal aerodynamic and structural configurations.
• Support aircraft sizing, weight estimation, and trade studies for airframe configurations.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, propulsion, and avionics teams for system integration.
• Develop and refine 3D CAD models of aircraft structures, subsystems, and flight-critical components.
• Perform basic aerodynamic and structural analyses to assess feasibility and performance impacts.
• Participate in design reviews, system trade studies, and prototype development efforts.
• Support rapid prototyping and wind tunnel testing of scaled models to validate concepts.
• Assist in requirements development, documentation, and verification planning for subsystems.
• Ensure designs comply with manufacturing feasibility and aerospace standards.
• Work with manufacturing to transition designs from concept to prototype and production.

Conoscenze

Crossfunctional collaboration

CAD modeling

FEA/CFD basics

Technical documentation

Active clearance

Formazione

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering

Master’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering

Strumenti

NX

SolidWorks

Descrizione del lavoro

Shield AI is seeking an Aircraft Configuration Design Engineer to support the development of next-generation autonomous UAVs. You will help design, optimize, and integrate aircraft configurations to balance aerodynamics, structure, propulsion, and mission systems for performance and manufacturability.

The role suits a mechanical or aerospace engineer with passion for advanced aircraft design, multidisciplinary integration, and rapid prototyping in a fast-paced defense tech environment.