Senior Staff Engineer, Structural Analysis (R4954)

Shieldai; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Staff Structural Analyst to provide advanced technical leadership in the structural analysis and validation of UAV platforms. In this role, you will serve as a senior subject‑matter expert for airframe structures, leading complex analysis efforts, supporting test correlation, and ensuring structural integrity across development, flight test, and production.

This role targets engineers with 12–15+ years of experience who have led major structural workstreams on

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 10+ years of structural analysis experience in aerospace.
• Experience with FEA tools such as ANSYS, NASTRAN, or HyperWorks.
• Hands-on with composite and lightweight aerospace structures.
• Ability to lead technical workstreams and influence design decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural analysis efforts for UAV airframes and major components.
• Define and execute FE modeling approaches, load cases, margins.
• Perform static, modal, fatigue, vibration, and damage-tolerance analyses.
• Mentor analysts and guide cross-functional teams on analysis methodology.
• Partner with design, loads, aero, propulsion, and systems teams to balance structural goals.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or higher in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Master's or PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

NASTRAN

HyperWorks

Job description

Job Description

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Staff Structural Analyst to provide advanced technical leadership in the structural analysis and validation of next‑generation UAV platforms. In this role, you will serve as a senior subject‑matter expert for airframe structures, leading complex analysis efforts, supporting test correlation, and ensuring structural integrity across development, flight test, and production.

This role is ideal for engineers with 12–15+ years of experience who have led major structural workstreams on aerospace programs and are comfortable owning analysis execution, mentoring engineers, and influencing key design tradeoffs within a program.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead structural analysis efforts for UAV airframes, major substructures, and critical components within a program scope.
• Define and execute finite element modeling approaches, load cases, assumptions, and margin assessments.
• Perform and oversee static, modal, fatigue, vibration, and damage‑tolerance analyses.
• Establish sound practices for hand calculations, model validation, and analysis‑to‑test correlation.
• Drive structural optimization across performance, weight, cost, and manufacturability targets.
• Support structural test strategy, including defining requirements, participating in execution, and correlating results to analysis.
• Review structural analysis deliverables, test reports, and technical documentation for design reviews.
• Mentor and technically guide structural analysts across varying experience levels.
• Partner cross‑functionally with design, loads, aero, propulsion, and systems teams to balance structural requirements with overall aircraft performance goals.
• Contribute to evolving analysis methodologies and improving structural standards within the organization.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in structural analysis, aircraft structures, or aerospace systems.
• Strong expertise with FEA tools (ANSYS, NASTRAN, HyperWorks, or similar).
• Advanced proficiency in hand calculations for strength, stability, fatigue, and damage tolerance.
• Significant experience with composite and lightweight aerospace structures.
• Experience supporting structural testing, model correlation, and flight test validation.
• Ability to lead complex technical workstreams and influence design decisions within a program.
• Strong communication skills and experience presenting analysis findings to engineering leadership.
• Ability to get an S//SAR level security clearance desired.
• Master’s or Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Experience serving as a senior technical lead on aircraft or UAV structural programs.
• Hands‑on involvement in flight test support and certification efforts.
• Experience contributing to internal analysis standards or best practices.
• Familiarity with CAD, PLM, and enterprise engineering toolchains.

Shield AI is a proud equal opportunity workplace and 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, let us know.