Staff Actuated Systems Engineer — Aerospace UAVs

Shield; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Staff (L4) Actuated Systems Engineer to own mechanical design and integration of actuation systems for UAV airframe mechanisms. You will develop buildable actuator installations, drive detailed hardware design, and support stages from concept to vehicle integration.

The role requires hands-on engineering in an accelerated aircraft development environment, with ownership mindset and fast decision-making to deliver capability to operators.

Qualifications

• 5–12 years of mechanical systems design experience in aerospace or regulated industry.
• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related technical discipline.
• Deep mastery of mechanical design, kinematics, load paths, materials, GD&T, and tolerance stack‑ups.
• Experience with 3D CAD modeling, layouts, and drawing release (Siemens NX, CATIA, Creo or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Develop and mature actuator system layouts and installation concepts within vehicle packaging constraints.
• Own detailed CAD design of actuated systems hardware from concept through drawing release.
• Perform actuator sizing, kinematic layout, and installation analysis for airframe mechanisms.
• Conduct hand calculations and basic FEA for brackets, mounts, and installation hardware.
• Define installation interfaces with structures, EWIS, EPS, and thermal management.
• Maintain CAD models, drawings, interface definitions, and data packages for SRR/PDR/CDR.

Skills

Actuated systems experience

Aerospace mechanical design

GD&T

3D CAD modeling

Education

B.S./M.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

CATIA

Creo

PLM workflows

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Staff (L4) Actuated Systems Engineer to own mechanical design and integration of actuation systems for UAV airframe mechanisms. You will develop buildable actuator installations, drive detailed hardware design, and support stages from concept to vehicle integration.

The role requires hands-on engineering in an accelerated aircraft development environment, with ownership mindset and fast decision-making to deliver capability to operators.