Senior UAV Structural Lead & FEA Expert — Equity

F7d8749a; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Bonus

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Staff Structural Analyst to lead advanced structural analysis and validation for next-generation UAV platforms. You will own analysis execution, mentor engineers, and influence key tradeoffs within programs, with 12–15+ years of experience and security clearance preferred.

The role requires leading major workstreams, hands-on FEA usage, and close partnership with design, loads, aero, propulsion, and systems teams to ensure structural integrity across development,

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Master’s or Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering preferred.
• Strong experience with structural analysis of aircraft or aerospace systems.
• Proven ability to lead major technical workstreams and influence design decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural analysis efforts for UAV airframes, substructures, and components.
• Define and execute finite element modeling, load cases, and margin assessments.
• Perform static, modal, fatigue, vibration, and damage-tolerance analyses.
• Establish hand-calculation practices and test-analytic validation.
• Drive structural optimization balancing performance, weight, cost, and manufacturability.
• Mentor other analysts and partner with design, loads, aero, propulsion, and systems teams.

Skills

FEA tools

Hand calculations

Structural analysis

Leadership

Communication skills

Security clearance

Education

B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Master’s or Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (preferred)

Tools

CAD

PLM

Enterprise engineering tools

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Staff Structural Analyst to lead advanced structural analysis and validation for next-generation UAV platforms. You will own analysis execution, mentor engineers, and influence key tradeoffs within programs, with 12–15+ years of experience and security clearance preferred.

The role requires leading major workstreams, hands-on FEA usage, and close partnership with design, loads, aero, propulsion, and systems teams to ensure structural integrity across development,