Provides senior technical leadership for structural analysis and validation of UAV airframes and components. Leads finite element modeling, static, modal, fatigue, vibration, and damage-tolerance analyses; supports structural testing, model correlation, flight-test validation, and design reviews. Drives optimization across performance, weight, cost, and manufacturability, partners with cross-functional aircraft teams, mentors structural analysts, and advances internal analysis standards.
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, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Shield AI is seeking a Senior Staff Structural Analyst to provide advanced technical leadership in the structural analysis and validation of next-generation UAV platforms. In this role, you will serve as a senior subject-matter expert for airframe structures, leading complex analysis efforts, supporting test correlation, and ensuring structural integrity across development, flight test, and production.
This role is ideal for engineers with 12–15+ years of experience who have led major structural workstreams on aerospace programs and are comfortable owning analysis execution, mentoring engineers, and influencing key design tradeoffs within a program.
What you'll do:
- 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.
Required qualifications:
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
- 10+ years of experience in structural analysis, aircraft structures, or aerospace systems.
- Strong expertise with FEA tools (ANSYS, NASTRAN, HyperWorks, or similar).
- 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.
Preferred qualifications:
- Master’s or Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
- Experience serving as a senior technical lead on aircraft or UAV structural programs.
- Hands-on involvement in flight test support and certification efforts.
- Experience contributing to internal analysis standards or best practices.
- Familiarity with CAD, PLM, and enterprise engineering toolchains.
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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.
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal 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.
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