Senior UAV Structures Stress Engineer — Lead Analyst

Shield; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI seeks an experienced structural analysis engineer to design, analyze, integrate, and field a next‑generation autonomous aircraft system. You will lead UAV airframe analyses, develop FE models, and drive weight, performance, and manufacturability tradeoffs.

You will mentor analysts, coordinate with design and systems teams, and support flight test validation while aiming for robust, certifiable structures.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in structural analysis, aircraft structures, or aerospace systems.
• 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

10+ years experience

Lead complex technical workstreams

Hand calculations

Structural testing & model correlation

Leadership

Presentation skills

Security clearance eligible

Senior technical lead

Flight test support

CAD/PLM tools

Composite structures

Lightweight aerospace structures

Experience with ANSYS/NASTRAN/HyperWer

Education

B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

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

Tools

FEA tools (ANSYS, NASTRAN, HyperWorks)

Job description

Shield AI seeks an experienced structural analysis engineer to design, analyze, integrate, and field a next‑generation autonomous aircraft system. You will lead UAV airframe analyses, develop FE models, and drive weight, performance, and manufacturability tradeoffs.

You will mentor analysts, coordinate with design and systems teams, and support flight test validation while aiming for robust, certifiable structures.