Staff Engineer – Landing Gear Systems (RX)

About the role

Shield AI is seeking a Staff (L4) or Senior Staff (L5) Landing Gear Engineer to own the landing gear architecture, mechanism design, structural analysis, and vehicle integration for a dedicated special‑access program. You will act as the sole subject‑matter expert, driving concepts from first‑principles to flight‑ready hardware in a rapid‑iteration environment.

Key responsibilities

• Lead landing gear architecture definition and trade studies (electro‑mechanical vs. hydro‑mechanical actuation, fixed vs. retractable kinematics, stowage packaging).
• Own the full CAD design lifecycle, including complex linkage kinematics, clearance envelopes, structural load paths, material selection, and tolerance stack‑ups.
• Perform hand calculations and finite‑element analyses (linear, non‑linear, modal, buckling) to size and validate structures under landing loads.
• Size and select wheels, tires, brakes, shock absorbers, actuators, and nose‑wheel steering mechanisms.
• Author technical specifications and statements of work, evaluate vendors, and manage supplier execution.
• Define verification test plans, design test fixtures, support drop‑test campaigns, and validate performance against requirements.
• Support prototype assembly, ground taxi testing, and flight test operations, troubleshooting mechanism anomalies and implementing rapid design changes.

Required profile

• Clearance: US Citizens only with an active Secret or higher clearance.
• Experience: 7–12 years in aerospace mechanism design, aircraft landing‑gear systems, or primary structural development.
• Education: B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Required skills

• Deep mastery of classical solid mechanics, kinematics, dynamics, fatigue, materials selection, and GD&T/tolerance stack‑up methodologies.
• Proficiency in hand calculations and finite‑element analysis (linear, non‑linear, buckling, modal).
• Extensive experience with 3D CAD modeling and drawing release (Siemens NX preferred, or CATIA/Creo) within PLM workflows.
• Experience authoring technical specifications, managing vendors, and supporting prototype builds and test rigs.