Senior UAV Structural Analysis Lead

Shield AI; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

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. You will lead major workstreams, own analysis execution, and mentor engineers across experience levels.

This role targets individuals with 12–15+ years in aerospace structures, strong FEA experience, and a proven track record in design tradeoffs and production support. A security clearance is desired.

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 a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

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.

Skills

Structural analysis leadership

Clear communication

Security clearance awareness

Leadership of technical workstreams

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

NASTRAN

HyperWorks

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. You will lead major workstreams, own analysis execution, and mentor engineers across experience levels.

This role targets individuals with 12–15+ years in aerospace structures, strong FEA experience, and a proven track record in design tradeoffs and production support. A security clearance is desired.