Senior Aerostructures Leader for Autonomous Aircraft

Socket.dev; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI is hiring a Sr Manager of Aerostructures Design for the X-BAT program. Lead the aerostructures organization, drive lightweight and survivable aircraft structures, and partner with flight sciences, propulsion, avionics, manufacturing, and autonomy teams to deliver integrated solutions.

You will guide structural development across the lifecycle, mentor engineers, and help transition from development to scalable production in a fast-paced defense-tech environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 12+ years aerospace structural engineering experience with leadership roles.
• Deep expertise in primary structures, composites, metallic design, and structural analysis.
• Experience leading teams through full aircraft development cycles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the aerostructures design organization for the X-BAT program.
• Drive development of lightweight, manufacturable aircraft structures.
• Collaborate across flight sciences, propulsion, avionics, manufacturing, and supply chain teams.
• Establish engineering processes, design standards, and roadmaps.
• Oversee development and validation of airframe structures and assemblies.
• Build and mentor a high-performing aerostructures team.
• Support transition to production environments.
• Conduct root-cause analysis on structural findings.
• Present reviews and strategic recommendations to leadership.

Skills

Aerospace leadership

Structural engineering

Systems integration

Team development

Flight test understanding

Education

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Advanced degree (preferred)

Job description

Shield AI is hiring a Sr Manager of Aerostructures Design for the X-BAT program. Lead the aerostructures organization, drive lightweight and survivable aircraft structures, and partner with flight sciences, propulsion, avionics, manufacturing, and autonomy teams to deliver integrated solutions.

You will guide structural development across the lifecycle, mentor engineers, and help transition from development to scalable production in a fast-paced defense-tech environment.