Staff Engineer, Aircraft Configuration Design - Ranger (R6298)

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.

What you'll do: • Assist in the conceptual and preliminary design of Shield AI’s newest UAV platforms, ensuring optimal aerodynamic and structural configurations.

• Support aircraft sizing, weight estimation, and trade studies to evaluate different airframe configurations. • Work with multi-disciplinary engineering teams (mechanical, electrical, propulsion, avionics) to ensure seamless system integration. • Develop and refine 3D CAD models of aircraft structures, subsystems, and flight critical components. • Perform basic aerodynamic and structural analysis using computational tools to assess feasibility and performance impacts. • Participate in design reviews, system trade studies, and prototype development efforts. • Support rapid prototyping and wind tunnel testing of scaled models to validate design concepts. • Assist in requirements development, documentation, and verification planning for aircraft subsystems. • Ensure designs comply with manufacturing feasibility, mission requirements, and aerospace industry standards. • Work closely with manufacturing and production teams to transition designs from concept to prototype and full-scale production.

Required qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering (or related field).

• Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience in aircraft design, configuration layout, or airframe integration. • Proficiency in CAD modeling (NX, SolidWorks, or similar) for airframe and structural design. • Basic understanding of aircraft aerodynamics, structures, and propulsion system integration. • Ability to perform basic FEA, CFD, or weight & balance assessments. • Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work in cross functional teams. • Excellent communication and technical documentation skills. • Active Secret clearance

Preferred qualifications: • Master’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering (or related field).

• Experience with UAV design or aircraft conceptual design. • Familiarity with aircraft performance modeling, stability & control, and flight dynamics. • Hands-on experience with rapid prototyping, wind tunnel testing, or flight hardware development. • Knowledge of manufacturing techniques, composite materials, and aerospace structural design principles. • Experience working in a fast-paced, high-tech startup or defense environment. • Active TS clearance or ability to gain a TS clearance.