Staff Engineer – Aircraft Configuration Design

About the role

Shield AI is looking for a Staff Engineer to lead aircraft configuration design for next‑generation autonomous UAVs. You will work on the conceptual and preliminary design of airframes, ensuring aerodynamic efficiency, structural integrity, and seamless integration with propulsion and mission systems.

Key responsibilities

• Assist in conceptual and preliminary design of UAV platforms, ensuring optimal aerodynamic and structural configurations.
• Support aircraft sizing, weight estimation, and trade studies for different airframe configurations.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, propulsion, and avionics teams to integrate systems.
• Develop and refine 3D CAD models of aircraft structures and flight‑critical components.
• Perform basic aerodynamic and structural analysis using computational tools.
• Participate in design reviews, prototype development, wind‑tunnel testing, and rapid prototyping.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in aircraft design, configuration layout, or airframe integration.
• Active Secret clearance.
• Strong problem‑solving, attention to detail, and ability to work in cross‑functional teams.

Required skills

• Proficiency in CAD modeling (NX, SolidWorks or similar) for airframe and structural design.
• Basic understanding of aircraft aerodynamics, structures, and propulsion integration.
• Ability to perform basic finite‑element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) assessments.
• Experience with weight and balance calculations.