Staff Engineer, Aerostructures Loads - Ranger (R6352)

About the role

Shield AI is seeking a Staff Aerostructures Loads Engineer to define, analyze and validate the loads environments that drive structural design for Project Ranger. The role develops vehicle and component loads analyses across flight, ground, transport, handling and test conditions, working with structures, flight sciences, systems engineering, aerodynamics, flight controls, propulsion, manufacturing and flight test teams.

Key responsibilities

• Develop air vehicle and component level loads analyses for primary and secondary structures.
• Create and maintain loads models, free body diagrams, load paths, load cases, design envelopes and critical load conditions.
• Partner with Aerodynamics, Flight Controls, Mass Properties, Propulsion and Systems Engineering to define external, inertial, aerodynamic, actuator and interface loads and vehicle operating conditions.
• Produce loads documentation such as design load reports, interface control loads, critical condition summaries, assumptions, margins and recommendations.
• Support ground and flight test planning, instrumentation definition, correlation, structural test execution and post-test data analysis.

Required profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience performing air vehicle, rotorcraft, uncrewed aircraft, launch vehicle, automotive or other complex vehicle loads analysis.
• Demonstrated experience developing loads models and performing static, dynamic, maneuver, gust, landing, ground, handling, transport or test loads analyses.
• Strong understanding of structural mechanics, aircraft dynamics, aerodynamics, inertia relief, load paths, free body diagrams, structural sizing inputs and FEM interface loads.

Required skills

• Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, Nastran, Patran, FEMAP, HyperMesh or comparable loads analysis, data analysis and finite element tools.
• Preferred: Master's degree with emphasis in structural dynamics, aeroelasticity, aircraft loads or flight mechanics; experience with uncrewed aircraft, fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft, defense or space programs; experience correlating loads models with flight, ground and structural test data; familiarity with aeroelasticity, flutter, vibration, fatigue, durability, damage tolerance and nonlinear structural analysis.