Senior UAV Structural Lead & Analysis Expert

Speedrun Talent Network; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI seeks a Senior Staff Structural Analyst to provide advanced leadership in structural analysis and validation of UAV airframes. You will lead major analysis workstreams, mentor engineers, and influence design tradeoffs across development, flight test, and production.

This role requires 12–15+ years in aerospace structural analysis, strong FEA expertise (ANSYS/NASTRAN/HyperWorks), and a proven track record of test‑to‑analysis correlation and structural optimization.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering required.
• 10+ years in structural analysis or aerospace structures.
• Expertise with FEA tools (ANSYS/NASTRAN/HyperWorks) and hand calculations.
• Experience with composite and lightweight aerospace structures.
• Ability to lead complex workstreams and mentor engineers.
• Security clearance (S//SAR) desired.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural analysis for UAV airframes, substructures and components.
• Define finite element modeling approaches, load cases and margins.
• Perform static, modal, fatigue, vibration, and damage‑tolerance analyses.
• Establish model validation and analysis‑to‑test correlation practices.
• Drive structural optimization balancing performance, weight, cost.
• Support test strategy and correlate results with analysis.
• Review deliverables and mentor analysts across levels.
• Collaborate with design, loads, aero, propulsion, and systems teams.
• Contribute to evolving analysis methodologies and standards.

Skills

FEA tools

Hand calculations

Composites

Structural testing

Leadership

Security clearance

Communication

CAD/PLM

Education

B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Master’s or Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

NASTRAN

HyperWorks

Job description

Shield AI seeks a Senior Staff Structural Analyst to provide advanced leadership in structural analysis and validation of UAV airframes. You will lead major analysis workstreams, mentor engineers, and influence design tradeoffs across development, flight test, and production.

This role requires 12–15+ years in aerospace structural analysis, strong FEA expertise (ANSYS/NASTRAN/HyperWorks), and a proven track record of test‑to‑analysis correlation and structural optimization.