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.
Job Description:
Are you a curious and motivated engineer looking to help develop state-of-the-art autonomous aircraft? Are you eager to apply your engineering fundamentals to real hardware while learning from experienced teammates? Do you want to work alongside mission-driven and values-focused people? Shield AI may be the place for you.
As a Mechanical Engineer on the Mechanisms team, you will contribute to the design, development, and integration of mechanical systems for Shield AI’s autonomous aircraft. Your work may include a focus on gearbox development and integration, including gears, shafts, bearings, housings, lubrication systems, and related interfaces.
You will complete well-defined engineering tasks with guidance from experienced engineers and collaborate with internal and external partners to design, prototype, test, and release hardware. This role offers the opportunity to build practical experience across the product-development lifecycle while helping the team achieve its performance, schedule, and reliability goals.
What you'll do:
Support the design and integration of mechanical mechanisms for autonomous aircraft, potentially including gearboxes and other power-transmission systems
Create and update 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, bills of materials, and interface documentation
Complete defined design tasks involving component sizing, material selection, tolerance analysis, and mechanical packaging
Perform foundational structural, kinematic, and machine-design calculations with guidance from senior engineers
Assist with preliminary finite element analysis and document assumptions, methods, and results
Support the selection and integration of gears, bearings, shafts, splines, seals, fasteners, and lubrication components
Help build, inspect, test, and iterate prototype hardware for functionality, performance, and reliability
Support pre-production builds, aircraft integration, and ground and flight testing
Investigate well-defined technical issues, document findings, and contribute to root-cause and corrective-action activities
Collaborate with mechanical, propulsion, electrical, avionics, flight-controls, manufacturing, and test teams
Follow established engineering, configuration-management, and product-release processes
Develop plans for assigned tasks, communicate progress and risks, and incorporate feedback from teammates
Required qualifications:
0-1 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent work experience
Understanding of fundamental mechanical engineering principles, including statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, materials science, and machine design
Academic, internship, student-team, research, or project experience using 3D CAD software
Ability to create or interpret basic engineering drawings
Familiarity with dimensional tolerancing and GD&T fundamentals
Ability to perform foundational engineering calculations and clearly document assumptions and results
Hands-on interest in designing, building, integrating, or testing mechanical hardware
Strong problem-solving, organization, documentation, and communication skills
Ability to complete well-defined engineering tasks with guidance from peers and managers
Ability to collaborate effectively, accept feedback, and work in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities
A demonstrated record of working hard, being trustworthy, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others
Ability to obtain an S//SAR-level security clearance is desired
Preferred qualifications:
Internship, student-team, research, or project experience involving aircraft, UAVs, robotics, automotive systems, or other mechanical products
Coursework or project experience related to gearboxes, gearing, bearings, shafts, splines, seals, lubrication, or rotating machinery
Familiarity with gear geometry, gear-train calculations, bearing selection, or mechanical power transmission
Experience with NX or a similar production CAD platform
Exposure to tolerance stack-ups, mechanical fits, and GD&T application
Exposure to finite element analysis, including static, modal, buckling, or fatigue analysis
Familiarity with MATLAB, Python, or other engineering analysis tools
Hands-on machine-shop, mechanic, fabrication, assembly, or inspection experience through professional, academic, or hobby activities
Exposure to FMEA, design of experiments, root-cause analysis, or reliability testing
Familiarity with additive manufacturing, machining, casting, forging, or other mechanical manufacturing processes
Exposure to RTCA DO-160, MIL-STD-810, structural testing, vibration testing, or mechanism testing
Ability to thrive in startup, R&D, or defense-innovation environments
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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.
