Director, Avionics Mechanical Engineering

About the role

Shield AI, a venture-backed defense-tech company, is looking for a Director of Avionics Mechanical Engineering to build and lead the organization responsible for mechanical, thermal and EWIS (electrical wiring interconnect systems) design for the X-BAT aircraft and ground equipment. The role sets technical strategy and organizational structure, develops managers and technical leads, and delivers flight-critical electro-mechanical hardware from concept through production. It is based in Seattle.

Key responsibilities

• Own the technical vision, strategy and roadmap for mechanical, thermal and EWIS engineering across X-BAT flight and ground avionics.
• Build and scale a multi-team organization: hire and develop managers and technical leads, define the org structure and plan headcount.
• Deliver complex electro-mechanical hardware that survives harsh environments, from architecture through qualification and production.
• Set engineering standards, design review practices and processes for thermal, mechanical and harness design.
• Serve as final technical authority on key mechanical and thermal architecture tradeoffs and escalate risks to program leadership.
• Partner with electrical engineering, RF, PCB design, reliability, structures, supply chain and manufacturing leaders.
• Own organizational planning inputs: resourcing, schedule commitments, supplier and contract manufacturer strategy, and make-vs-buy decisions.
• Build a culture of ownership, technical rigor and accountability.

Required profile

• B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 15+ years of experience in mechanical design around electronics and electrical systems, with early-career hands-on design of enclosures, thermal solutions and harness integration.
• 5+ years of people leadership, including managing managers or leading multiple engineering teams.
• Proven track record of building and scaling engineering teams and delivering complex avionics or electro-mechanical hardware from concept through production.
• Experience setting engineering strategy, standards and processes, and managing relationships with fabrication shops, contract manufacturers and suppliers.
• Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance.

Required skills

• Avionics packaging, FEA, thermal analysis, and fatigue and lifecycle testing.
• Engineering standards and process management.
• Preferred: aircraft, spacecraft, launch vehicle or defense platform hardware leadership; high-rate production (satellites, EV power electronics, autonomous vehicles); DO-160, MIL-STD-810 or similar qualification standards.