Staff Engineer, Structural Test Stand Design (R4413)

Shieldai; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a seasoned Mechanical Test Engineer to drive electrical/mechanical validation for next‑gen aircraft components. You will develop test plans, build fixtures, and integrate sensors to quantify performance from concept through final validation.

Join a lab‑driven environment with cross‑functional collaboration across mechanical design, systems, and electrical engineering, and lead CAD design of test equipment while applying MIL‑STD protocols.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of mechanical testing or product development experience.
• Strong knowledge of hydraulic systems and their control/measurement.
• Experience with sensor selection, integration, and calibration in test environments.
• Proficiency in Python for scripting, test automation, and data analysis.
• Advanced CAD skills in Siemens NX for designing test hardware and prototypes.
• Willingness to obtain S//SAR security clearance; MIL-STD testing experience.
• Subject Matter Expert in aerospace structures and dynamics test environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute test plans to validate mechanical performance, structural integrity, and environmental durability from start to finish.
• Design, build, and operate test fixtures and systems involving hydraulic actuation, mechanical linkages, and sensor instrumentation.
• Integrate and calibrate sensors (load cells, pressure transducers, strain gauges, accelerometers) for accurate data collection.
• Create and maintain Python scripts for automation, signal processing, and result visualization.
• Analyze test data, troubleshoot system behaviors, and generate detailed technical reports with design feedback.
• Collaborate with mechanical design, systems, and electrical engineering teams to define test requirements and run campaigns.

Skills

Python scripting

Test automation

Data analysis

Problem solving

Teamwork

Independent work

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

FEA

Job description

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.

Job Description

Do you enjoy working in a dynamic lab environment and being part of a design team that will impact the safety of service members and civilians? If so, we want your help designing the next generation aircraft at Shield AI. The Mechanical Test team’s mission is to inform Shield AI hardware design by quantifying product performance and experience with custom measurement tools, and specialized analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute test plans to validate mechanical performance, structural integrity, and environmental durability from start to finish.
• Design, build, and operate test fixtures and systems involving hydraulic actuation, mechanical linkages, and sensor instrumentation.
• Integrate and calibrate a range of sensors (e.g., load cells, pressure transducers, strain gauges, accelerometers) into test setups for accurate data collection.
• Create and maintain python scripts to provide automation, signal processing, and result visualization.
• Analyze test data, troubleshoot system behaviors, and generate detailed technical reports with design feedback.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including mechanical design, systems, and electrical engineering to define test requirements, run test campaigns and deliver high quality results.
• Lead CAD design of custom test equipment, prototypes, fixtures, and components, ensuring manufacturability and safety.
• Perform Finite Element Analysis to simulate mechanical performance, validate design assumptions, and correlate analytical results with test data.
• Work with metallic/composite materials in the design, fabrication, and testing of mechanical components, with consideration for their unique properties such as anisotropy, delamination risk, and layup configuration.
• Support lab safety protocols, equipment maintenance, and continuous improvement of test capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in mechanical testing or product development environments.
• Strong working knowledge of hydraulic systems and their control/measurement.
• Experience with sensor selection, integration, and calibration in test environments.
• Proficiency in Python for scripting, test automation, and data analysis.
• Advanced CAD skills in Siemens NX with experience designing test hardware and prototypes.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and in team settings.
• Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
• Hands-on experience performing MIL-STD testing (e.g., MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461) including vibration, shock, thermal, and EMI/EMC testing.
• Subject Matter Expert in aerospace structures and dynamics test environments.

Benefits

Full-time regular employee offer package: Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package: Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed toequal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.