Be an Early Applicant
Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.
The Role
Perform hands-on mechanical design, analysis, and integration for V-BAT aircraft and ground support equipment across the product lifecycle. Create CAD models and GD&T drawings, validate designs via calculations/FEA, collaborate with manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and program teams, and provide technical support during testing and field operations.
Summary Generated by Built In
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Help bring advanced aerospace systems to life through hands-on mechanical design and real-world problem solving. In this role, you’ll contribute to the development and integration of complex hardware from concept through production, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable, high-performance systems. In a fast-paced environment, you’ll turn ideas into tangible solutions, support testing and field operations, and play a key role in building mission-ready technology
What you'll do:
- Directly contribute to the design, analysis, and integration of mechanical systems and subsystems for V-BAT aircraft and ground support equipment, including payload integrations, avionics packaging, harnessing and connector selection, transport structures, and launch & recovery systems.
- Own mechanical engineering deliverables across the product lifecycle—from early concept and prototyping through test, production, and field support—with a bias toward execution and delivery.
- Partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Program Management, and Flight Operations to ensure designs are buildable, testable, and reliable in real-world environments.
- Provide hands-on technical support during ground and flight testing, demos, and field operations; rapidly troubleshoot and implement design fixes under tight timelines.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field from an accredited institution.
- 2-3 years of hands-on mechanical design experience in aerospace, ground support equipment, or related ruggedized hardware systems.
- Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, NX, CATIA, or similar) with demonstrated ability to create detailed drawings, assemblies, and GD&T-compliant documentation
- Strong foundation in structural design, material selection, and manufacturing processes.
- Experience performing engineering calculations (stress, thermal, tolerance stack-up, fatigue, FEA as applicable) to validate design integrity
- Cross-functional collaboration experience with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management.
Preferred qualifications:
- Root cause analysis and structured problem-solving capability to resolve mechanical failures.
- Familiarity with industry standards (ASME, ISO, ASTM, or industry-specific regulatory requirements).
- Familiarity with MIL-STD requirements and environmental qualification testing.
- Familiarity to power distribution, hydraulics, or aerospace support systems.
- Experience working with external suppliers or contract manufacturers.
#LI-MS1
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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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field from an accredited institution.
- 2-3 years of hands-on mechanical design experience in aerospace, ground support equipment, or related ruggedized hardware systems.
- Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, NX, CATIA, or similar) with ability to create detailed drawings and assemblies.
- Ability to produce GD&T-compliant documentation and detailed manufacturing drawings.
- Strong foundation in structural design, material selection, and manufacturing processes.
- Experience performing engineering calculations (stress, thermal, tolerance stack-up, fatigue, FEA) to validate designs.
- Cross-functional collaboration experience with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management.
- Root cause analysis and structured problem-solving capability to resolve mechanical failures.
- Familiarity with industry standards (ASME, ISO, ASTM) and MIL-STD requirements/environmental qualification testing.
- Familiarity with power distribution, hydraulics, or aerospace support systems.
- Experience working with external suppliers or contract manufacturers.
What the Team is Saying
Dylan
Lead Engineer, Planning and Controls-Motion
Mo
Lead Engineer, Platform Automation
Willy
Technical Director
Michael
Engineering Manager - State Estimation
Vibhav
Senior Staff Engineer
Kirby
Mechanical Engineer
Ryan
CEO
Evan
Senior Machine Learning Engineer
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage alongside a mental‑health EAP. Site perks such as an onsite gym in DC and a gym discount in San Diego support a health‑focused offering.
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Retirement Support — Careers materials highlight a 401(k) with company match as part of the standard package. A Total Rewards overview emphasizes retirement features within a broader, transparent compensation view.
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Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Compensation for in‑demand technical and senior go‑to‑market roles is described as competitive, with visible engineering ranges and top‑end packages. This points to meaningful upside tied to role, level, and scarce skills.
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The Company
What We Do
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.
Why Work With Us
What makes Shield AI special is our people. We unlock the power of autonomy, and in the face of overwhelming odds and challenges, we find ways to win and make a difference for our customers. We bring together software, AI, and aerospace engineering disciplines to deploy the most intelligent aviation capabilities in the world.
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Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Typical time on-site:
3 days a week
