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Shield AISA

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

We're building the world's best AI pilot. Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.

Shield AI

Employee count: 501-1000

Salary: 194k-290k USD

United States only
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Boston, Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI’s technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn,X, YouTubeand Instagram.

Job Description:

Shield AI is seeking a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer with deep expertise in mechanism design to support the development of our next-generation autonomous UAV platform. In this high-ownership role, you will lead the architecture, design, and development of precision mechanical systems and actuation mechanisms that are critical to mission success.
You will work closely with cross-functional teams to create rugged, lightweight, and manufacturable mechanisms-ranging from landing gear to deployable payload systems-while delivering high performance in dynamic and harsh environments. This is an opportunity to design at the edge of innovation and autonomy, with real-world impact.

What you'll do:

  • Design complex electro-mechanical mechanisms for autonomous aircraft
  • Own the full design process: concept, CAD, tolerance analysis, material selection, and drawing release
  • Perform structural and kinematic calculations and preliminary FEA
  • Prototype, test, and iterate mechanism designs for functionality and reliability
  • Collaborate with electrical, avionics, flight controls, and propulsion teams
  • Mentor junior engineers and promote engineering excellence
  • Support pre-production builds, prototype integration, and ground/flight testing

Required qualifications:

  • B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering
  • 10+ years in mechanical or mechanism design
  • Strong CAD skills (NX preferred)
  • Kinematic analysis and optimization
  • Structural analysis utilizing hand calculations and finite element methods
  • FEA analysis: Modal, non-linear and linear, buckling, fatigue
  • GD&T and tolerance stack-ups for mechanical systems
  • Materials selection inclusive of alloys, heat treatments, allowables, and finishes
  • Ability to work independently and lead in fast-paced, cross-functional teams
  • A demonstrated record of working hard, being trustworthy, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others

Preferred qualifications:

  • Experience with UAVs, aircraft, or robotic systems
  • Familiarity with electro-mechanical actuators
  • Proficiency in FMEA, DOE, and root cause analysis
  • Hands-on machine shop or mechanic experience (professional or hobby)
  • RTCA DO-160, structural, or actuated mechanism testing experience
  • Ability to thrive in startup, R&D, or defense innovation environments
#LF
Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

About the job

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Job type

Full Time

Experience level

Senior

Salary

Salary: 194k-290k USD

Location requirements

Hiring timezones

United States +/- 0 hours

About Shield AI

Learn more about Shield AI and their company culture.

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We're building the world's best AI pilot. Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.

AI pilots will revolutionize battlefields and commercial aviation at a scale greater than the self-driving movement reshaping our highways.

We’re building Hivemind, our AI pilot, to enable swarms of drones and aircraft to operate autonomously without GPS, communications, or a pilot. Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.

Our Story

As a Navy SEAL, Shield AI co-founder Brandon Tseng experienced firsthand problems where intelligent autonomy could have made life-saving differences. He asked himself what does the military of 2030 look like and what role does autonomy play. The answer – AI pilots powering every military asset: aircraft, drones, ships, satellites and submarines. ​

What does the military of 2030 look like and what role does autonomy play? The answer – AI pilots powering every military asset: aircraft, drones, ships, satellites and submarines.

The lack of software and AI engineering talent from large defense primes presented an opportunity to start fresh and build the aerospace and defense technology company of the 21st century focused on AI pilots. And in 2015, alongside cofounders Ryan Tseng, and Andrew Reiter – Shield AI was founded to bring the best of AI and autonomy technology to the DoD and our allies to protect service members and civilians.

Our Values

Changing the world for the better is hard. The difficulty of operationalizing AI pilots is akin to landing an orbital rocket. When things are hard and you’re pushed to your limits, you fall back on your mission and values. Few things are more important, which is why they are at the heart of everything we do.

  1. Do what honor dictates.

  2. Live as a servant leader.

  3. Pursue excellence.

Employee benefits

Learn about the employee benefits and perks provided at Shield AI.

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Pet insurance

For your best friend!

Healthcare benefits

Excellent medical coverage for employees.

Equity benefits

Stock benefits, so you are rewarded for your best work.

Retirement benefits

401(k) services and match to help you invest in your future.

View Shield AI's employee benefits
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Shield AI

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Shield AI hiring Principal Mechanical Design Engineer • Remote (Work from Home) | Himalayas