Senior Loads Engineer - Aeroelastic & Flight Analysis

Shieldai; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Staff Loads Engineer to lead aerodynamic and structural load analyses for next-gen air vehicles. You will own load envelopes, execute quasi-static and dynamic campaigns, and ensure traceability across ICDs and FEA models while coordinating with GNC, aero, and structural teams.

The role requires 8+ years of loads/aeroelastic experience, proficiency with FEMAP/NASTRAN/MATLAB, and a strong understanding of flight envelopes and control effects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of loads and aeroelastic analysis experience for aircraft (manned or unmanned).
• Proficiency with loads modeling tools such as FEMAP, NASTRAN, MATLAB, or Python/Simulink.
• Strong understanding of flight envelopes, control surface effects, and structural load paths.
• Experience supporting design and test phases with accurate load predictions.
• Excellent documentation, cross-functional collaboration, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own development of aerodynamic and structural load envelopes for the full vehicle, from concept through flight test.
• Lead maneuver, gust, landing, and ground loads analyses including quasi-static and dynamic cases.
• Coordinate with GNC, aero, and structural teams to define loads tied to mission profiles.
• Develop and validate loads models using tools like FEMAP, NASTRAN, MATLAB, or Python/Simulink.
• Support sizing and analysis of critical structural components via load maps and V-n diagrams.
• Conduct aeroelastic stability assessments including divergence and control reversal checks.
• Lead traceability of loads inputs/outputs across ICDs, FEA models, and design documentation.
• Interface with test engineering to support strain gauge placement and data correlation.
• Prepare loads documentation for reviews, compliance, and buy-in.
• Ambition to refine loads methodologies and automation across the aerostructures team.

Skills

Aeroelastic theory

Loads derivation

Flight envelope knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation and communication

Loads modeling tools

Education

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

Tools

FEMAP

NASTRAN

MATLAB

Python/Simulink

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Staff Loads Engineer to lead aerodynamic and structural load analyses for next-gen air vehicles. You will own load envelopes, execute quasi-static and dynamic campaigns, and ensure traceability across ICDs and FEA models while coordinating with GNC, aero, and structural teams.

The role requires 8+ years of loads/aeroelastic experience, proficiency with FEMAP/NASTRAN/MATLAB, and a strong understanding of flight envelopes and control effects.