Mechanical Design Engineer, Autonomous UAV Systems

Shield AI; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 162,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to contribute to the design and development of autonomous UAV products. You will help architect new systems, support detailed structural design, and ensure manufacturability and reliability across the launch and recovery vehicle.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to prototype, test, and release products to production, while maintaining schedule and performance goals in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• B.S. in mechanical/aerospace engineering or equivalent.
• 2+ years designing mechanical/drive mechanisms for ground vehicles.
• Strong CAD skills, NX preferred, with manufacturing awareness.
• Experience performing hand calcs and FEA on structural systems.
• Knowledge of GD&T and tolerance stack-ups in assemblies.
• Materials selection including alloys and heat treatments.
• Able to work independently in fast-paced, cross-functional teams.
• Clear interest in obtaining a S//SAR security clearance is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support design of complex structures for autonomous aircraft launch/recovery.
• Oversee concept to drawing release, CAD work, tolerances, and material selection.
• Perform structural and kinematic calculations and preliminary FEA.
• Prototype, test, and iterate mechanism designs for reliability.
• Collaborate with electrical, avionics, flight controls, manufacturing, and test teams.
• Assist pre-production builds and ground/flight testing toward production.
• Participate in design reviews and architecture discussions for structural systems.
• Identify opportunities to improve design processes and workflows.

Skills

2+ years mechanical design

FEA / hand calcs

GD&T / tolerances

Materials selection

Independent, cross-functional

Security clearance desired

Kinematic analysis

UAV / aircraft experience

Education

B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX CAD

FEA software

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to contribute to the design and development of autonomous UAV products. You will help architect new systems, support detailed structural design, and ensure manufacturability and reliability across the launch and recovery vehicle.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to prototype, test, and release products to production, while maintaining schedule and performance goals in a fast-paced environment.