Senior Vibrations Test Engineer

About the role

Shield AI is seeking a hands‑on Senior Vibrations Test Engineer to lead vibration and structural dynamics testing for next‑generation autonomous aircraft and systems. The role combines test planning, execution, data analysis and collaboration with design, analysis and flight test teams to ensure hardware can survive demanding operational environments.

Key responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution and analysis of vibration test programs for product development, qualification and flight readiness.
• Design, build and deploy instrumented test setups for vibration, modal, structural and environmental testing using industry‑standard measurement equipment.
• Operate electrodynamic shaker tables performing sine sweep, random vibration, sine‑on‑random, resonance search, dwell and shock tests.
• Conduct experimental modal analysis to characterize structural dynamics and validate finite‑element models.
• Develop test fixtures and methodologies that replicate operational loads while minimizing fixture influence.
• Instrument hardware with accelerometers, strain gauges, force and displacement sensors and acquire data.
• Analyze vibration response using frequency‑domain and time‑domain techniques to identify resonances, mode shapes, damping and failure mechanisms.
• Collaborate with Mechanical Design and Structural Analysis engineers to correlate test results with analytical models and drive design improvements.
• Produce test plans, procedures, reports and technical presentations communicating findings and recommendations.
• Maintain test equipment, data acquisition systems, instrumentation and calibration records.

Required profile

• B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, Structural Engineering or related field.
• Hands‑on experience performing vibration testing of mechanical or aerospace systems through industry, research or internships.
• Experience operating electrodynamic shaker systems and associated vibration control software.
• Working knowledge of structural dynamics, vibration theory, modal analysis and frequency response functions.
• Familiarity with MIL‑STD‑810 vibration and shock qualification standards.
• Ability to obtain a Secret//Special Access Required (S//SAR) security clearance (desired).

Required skills

• Electrodynamic shaker systems and vibration control software
• Accelerometers, signal conditioning, data acquisition systems
• Experimental modal analysis and finite‑element model correlation
• CAD software (NX preferred)
• MIL‑STD‑810 vibration and shock testing standards
• Vibration analysis tools (Data Physics, Brüel & Kjær, LMS/Simcenter Testlab)
• Finite‑element analysis packages (ANSYS, Abaqus, Nastran)
• Strain gauge testing and digital image correlation (DIC)
• Design of Experiments (DOE) and root‑cause analysis