Senior UAV Aircraft Configuration Engineer

Shield AI; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 144,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI in San Diego is seeking an Aircraft Configuration Design Engineer to support the development of next-generation autonomous UAVs. You will assist in the design, optimization, and integration of aircraft configurations, ensuring harmony of aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, and mission systems for performance, manufacturability, and operational effectiveness.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Aerospace/Mechanical/Systems Engineering, 5 years of aircraft design experience, CAD

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering (or related field).
• 5 years of experience in aircraft design, configuration layout, or airframe integration.
• Proficiency in CAD modeling (NX, SolidWorks, or similar).
• Basic understanding of aircraft aerodynamics, structures, and propulsion integration.
• Ability to perform basic FEA, CFD, or weight & balance assessments.
• Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, crossfunctional collaboration.
• Excellent communication and technical documentation skills.
• Active Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the conceptual and preliminary design of Shield AI's UAV platforms, ensuring optimal aerodynamic and structural configurations.
• Support aircraft sizing, weight estimation, and trade studies to evaluate different airframe configurations.
• Work with multi-disciplinary engineering teams to ensure seamless system integration.
• Develop and refine 3D CAD models of aircraft structures, subsystems, and flightcritical components.
• Perform basic aerodynamic and structural analysis using computational tools to assess feasibility and performance impacts.
• Participate in design reviews, system trade studies, and prototype development efforts.
• Support rapid prototyping and wind tunnel testing of scaled models to validate design concepts.
• Assist in requirements development, documentation, and verification planning for aircraft subsystems.
• Ensure designs comply with manufacturing feasibility, mission requirements, and aerospace industry standards.
• Work closely with manufacturing and production teams to transition designs from concept to prototype and full-scale production.

Skills

CAD modeling

Aerodynamics basics

Propulsion integration basics

FEA/CFD

Cross-functional teamwork

Communication/documentation

Active Secret clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Systems Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Job description

Shield AI in San Diego is seeking an Aircraft Configuration Design Engineer to support the development of next-generation autonomous UAVs. You will assist in the design, optimization, and integration of aircraft configurations, ensuring harmony of aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, and mission systems for performance, manufacturability, and operational effectiveness.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Aerospace/Mechanical/Systems Engineering, 5 years of aircraft design experience, CAD