Manager, Aerostructures Design, X-BAT (R5633)

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

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking an Aerostructures Design Manager to lead the design and development of high‑performance structural components for our autonomous aircraft platforms, from concept through production release.

You will oversee structural integrity, manufacturability, and system integration, working across a leadingStructures team and collaborating with systems engineering, manufacturing, and supplier partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in aircraft structural design or closely related aerospace structures.
• Experience with team leadership as a project or IPT style team lead
• Experience designing and releasing structural components in development or production environments.
• Working knowledge of composite and metallic structures, including fasteners, bonded joints, and load paths.
• Proficiency in CAD tools (NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, or similar).
• Understanding of GD&T, tolerance stackups, and DFMA principles.
• Strong written and verbal technical communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in fast-paced, high-ownership engineering environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of high-performance structural components.
• Ensure structural integrity, manufacturability, and system integration across platforms.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Structures, Systems, and Manufacturing teams.
• Mentor and guide a design team through concept to production release.

Skills

Technical leadership

Aerospace structural design

DFMA principles

GD&T

Technical communication

Fast-paced environment

Structural analysis knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description:

Shield AI is seeking an Aerostructures Design Manager to support the development of structural components for our next-generation autonomous aircraft. As a contributor on the Structures team you will lead the design and develop high-performance structural components from concept through production release.

You’ll work cross-functionally to ensure structural integrity, manufacturability, and system integration across one of the most advanced autonomous aircraft platforms being built today. This role is ideal for an aerospace engineer with significant hands‑on design experience with both composite or metallic airframes as well as demonstrated team lead experience.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in aircraft structural design or closely related aerospace structures.
• Experience with team leadership as a project or IPT style team lead
• Experience designing and releasing structural components in development or production environments.
• Working knowledge of composite and metallic structures, including fasteners, bonded joints, and load paths.
• Proficiency in CAD tools (NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, or similar).
• Understanding of GD&T, tolerance stackups, and DFMA principles.
• Strong written and verbal technical communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in fast-paced, high-ownership engineering environments.

Preferred qualifications:

• M.S. degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience supporting UAV, DoD, or aerospace full vehicle programs.
• Familiarity with aerospace standards (MIL-STD, ASME Y14.5, FAA).
• Experience fabricating and testing large scale aerospace structures such as wings, fuselages or similar.
• Demonstrated understanding of composite manufacturing methods.
• Experience using FEA tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, or similar) for linear structural analysis.

Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

150000 - 230000 USD a year