Staff Mechanical Design Engineer – Launch & Recovery Systems

About the role

Shield AI is pioneering AI‑powered autonomous aircraft for national defense. We are seeking a Staff Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the design, development, and testing of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) for our next‑generation unmanned system, creating robust, field‑deployable support solutions for military operations.

Key responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical systems for GSE, including power units, transport structures, launch & recovery systems, and maintenance tools.
• Create detailed CAD models, drawings, and specifications for manufacturing and assembly.
• Conduct structural, thermal, and fatigue analyses to ensure durability in field environments.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to integrate GSE with aircraft systems and mission operations.
• Oversee prototyping, testing, and validation of GSE designs to meet military and aviation standards.

Required profile

• 7+ years of mechanical design experience in aerospace, ground support equipment, or heavy industrial systems.
• Expertise in CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or NX.
• Strong background in structural analysis, material selection, and manufacturing processes for ruggedized systems.
• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA), thermal analysis, and fatigue/lifecycle testing.
• Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance (desired).