As a Systems Integration Engineer, you will independently own the design, installation, and integration of aircraft systems and components while supporting the development of complete subsystem installations. You will collaborate across engineering disciplines to deliver manufacturable, maintainable, and reliable aircraft hardware.
The ideal candidate has demonstrated experience designing aircraft hardware and installation solutions and enjoys solving multidisciplinary integration challenges involving structures, avionics, propulsion, manufacturing, and production.
What you'll do:
- Independently design machined, fabricated, composite, and sheet metal components for aircraft applications.
- Develop aircraft installation layouts that optimize packaging, accessibility, serviceability, manufacturability, and weight.
- Design routing paths for EWIS, hydraulic, fuel, pneumatic, and ECS systems while coordinating interfaces with adjacent aircraft structures and subsystems.
- Develop detailed engineering drawings, installation drawings, and assembly documentation in accordance with company drafting standards.
- Maintain CAD assemblies, product structures, BOMs, and engineering releases within PLM systems.
- Apply GD&T and tolerance stack-up analyses to ensure manufacturable and interchangeable designs.
- Support prototype aircraft builds, production integration, and manufacturing issue resolution.
- Investigate installation and integration issues through structured root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate avionics and other system components seamlessly within the aircraft
- Perform engineering calculations to support design decisions and evaluate structural adequacy.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
- 3+ years of professional experience designing and integrating mechanical systems for aircraft, aerospace, defense, robotics, automotive, or other complex electromechanical products.
- Demonstrated experience designing machined, fabricated, composite, and sheet metal components from concept through production release.
- Proficiency developing complex 3D CAD models, large assemblies, installation layouts, and detailed engineering drawings using NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, or equivalent CAD software.
- Experience managing engineering data, product structures, Bills of Material (BOMs), and drawing releases using PLM systems such as Teamcenter, Windchill, or 3DEXPERIENCE.
- Working knowledge of aircraft installation practices, subsystem packaging, interface management, equipment mounting, and maintainability considerations.
- Experience developing installation layouts and routing solutions for EWIS, hydraulic, fuel, pneumatic, ECS, or similar mechanical systems.
- Working knowledge of GD&T in accordance with ASME Y14.5 and experience performing tolerance stack-up analyses.
- Experience supporting prototype builds, manufacturing, aircraft assembly, installation, and production issue resolution.
- Ability to investigate integration issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement effective corrective actions.
- Experience collaborating with Manufacturing, Systems Engineering, Stress, Avionics, Supply Chain, Quality, and Test Engineering organizations throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously.
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience integrating aircraft subsystems on unmanned aircrafts, fixed wing, eVTOL, or other aerospace platforms.
- Experience leading mechanical work packages or owning subsystem-level hardware from concept through production.
- Experience performing structural hand calculations, free-body diagrams, load path evaluations, or preliminary stress analyses to support mechanical design decisions.
- Experience performing finite element analysis (FEA), including static, modal, vibration, fatigue, or thermal analyses.
- Hands-on experience supporting build, production, testing, or hardware validation activities.
- Familiarity with aircraft configuration management, engineering change processes, and formal product release workflows.
- Experience coordinating engineering activities with suppliers, manufacturing partners, or external engineering organizations.
- Familiarity with FAA, DoD, MIL-STD, or commercial aerospace design standards.
- Experience mentoring interns or early-career engineers and reviewing engineering documentation for technical accuracy.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
- 3+ years professional experience designing and integrating mechanical systems for aircraft, aerospace, defense, robotics, automotive, or complex electromechanical products.
- Demonstrated experience designing machined, fabricated, composite, and sheet metal components from concept through production release.
- Proficiency developing complex 3D CAD models, large assemblies, installation layouts, and detailed engineering drawings using NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, or equivalent CAD software.
- Experience managing engineering data, product structures, Bills of Material (BOMs), and drawing releases using PLM systems such as Teamcenter, Windchill, or 3DEXPERIENCE.
- Working knowledge of aircraft installation practices, subsystem packaging, interface management, equipment mounting, and maintainability considerations.
- Experience developing installation layouts and routing solutions for EWIS, hydraulic, fuel, pneumatic, ECS, or similar mechanical systems.
- Working knowledge of GD&T in accordance with ASME Y14.5 and experience performing tolerance stack-up analyses.
- Experience supporting prototype builds, manufacturing, aircraft assembly, installation, and production issue resolution.
- Ability to investigate integration issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement effective corrective actions.
- Experience collaborating with Manufacturing, Systems Engineering, Stress, Avionics, Supply Chain, Quality, and Test Engineering organizations throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously.
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance.
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.
Shield AI Insights
What We Do
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 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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Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.