Mechanical Design Engineer II – UAV & Aircraft Systems

Shieldai; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Mechanical Designer/Drafter Engineer to contribute to the design and development of autonomous UAV products, including launch and recovery systems, using NX and FEA to ensure structural integrity. You will collaborate with internal and external partners to prototype, test, and release products for production and field deployment.

You’ll work across disciplines to ensure structural integrity, manufacturability, and mission-readiness in one of the most advanced autonomous

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering.
• 2+ years in mechanical design for ground vehicles.
• Strong CAD skills (NX preferred).
• Structural analysis using hand calculations and finite element methods.
• GD&T and tolerance stack-ups for mechanical systems.
• Materials selection including alloys, heat treatments, finishes.
• Ability to work independently in fast-paced, cross-functional teams.
• Security clearance desired.

Responsibilities

• Support the design of complex structures for the autonomous aircraft launch and recovery system.
• Support the full design process: concept, CAD, tolerance analysis, material selection, and drawing release.
• Perform structural and kinematic calculations and preliminary FEA.
• Prototype, test, and iterate mechanism designs for functionality and reliability.
• Collaborate with electrical, avionics, flight controls, manufacturing, and test teams.
• Support pre-production builds, prototype integration, and ground/flight testing on the pathway to production and field deployment.
• Participate in design reviews, architecture discussions, and technical decision-making forums related to structural systems.
• Identify opportunities to improve design processes, configuration management, and team workflows for increased engineering velocity and design quality.

Skills

UAV/aircraft experience

CAD NX

FEA fundamentals

GD&T

Mechanism design

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

2+ years in mechanical design for ground vehicles

Tools

NX CAD

FEA tools

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Mechanical Designer/Drafter Engineer to contribute to the design and development of autonomous UAV products, including launch and recovery systems, using NX and FEA to ensure structural integrity. You will collaborate with internal and external partners to prototype, test, and release products for production and field deployment.

You’ll work across disciplines to ensure structural integrity, manufacturability, and mission-readiness in one of the most advanced autonomous