Do you enjoy working in a dynamic lab environment and being part of a design team that will impact the safety of service members and civilians? If so, we want your help designing the next generation aircraft at Shield AI. The Mechanical Test team’s mission is to inform Shield AI hardware design by quantifying product performance and experience with custom measurement tools, and specialized analysis.
We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Staff Mechanical Test Engineer to support the development, testing, and validation of advanced mechanical systems. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience with hydraulic systems, various sensor technologies (e.g., force, pressure, strain, displacement), be proficient in python for test automation and data analysis, and demonstrate expert level proficiency in CAD tools such as NX.
What you'll do:
- Develop and execute test plans to validate mechanical performance, structural integrity, and environmental durability from start to finish.
- Design, build, and operate test fixtures and systems involving hydraulic actuation, mechanical linkages, and sensor instrumentation.
- Integrate and calibrate a range of sensors (e.g., load cells, pressure transducers, strain gauges, accelerometers) into test setups for accurate data collection.
- Create and maintain python scripts to provide automation, signal processing, and result visualization.
- Analyze test data, troubleshoot system behaviors, and generate detailed technical reports with design feedback.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including mechanical design, systems, and electrical engineering to define test requirements, run test campaigns and deliver high quality results.
- Lead CAD design of custom test equipment, prototypes, fixtures, and components, ensuring manufacturability and safety.
- Perform Finite Element Analysis to simulate mechanical performance, validate design assumptions, and correlate analytical results with test data.
- Work with metallic/composite materials in the design, fabrication, and testing of mechanical components, with consideration for their unique properties such as anisotropy, delamination risk, and layup configuration.
- Support lab safety protocols, equipment maintenance, and continuous improvement of test capabilities.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
- 7-9 years of experience in mechanical testing or product development environments.
- Strong working knowledge of hydraulic systems and their control/measurement.
- Experience with sensor selection, integration, and calibration in test environments.
- Proficiency in Python for scripting, test automation, and data analysis.
- Advanced CAD skills in Siemens NX with experience designing test hardware and prototypes.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and in team settings.
Preferred qualifications:
- Hands-on experience performing MIL-STD testing (e.g., MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461) including vibration, shock, thermal, and EMI/EMC testing.
- Subject Matter Expert in aerospace structures and dynamics test environments.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- 7-9 years of experience in mechanical testing or product development environments
- Strong working knowledge of hydraulic systems and their control/measurement
- Experience with sensor selection, integration, and calibration (load cells, pressure transducers, strain gauges, accelerometers)
- Proficiency in Python for scripting, test automation, and data analysis
- Advanced CAD skills in Siemens NX with experience designing test hardware and prototypes
- Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and in team settings
- Hands-on experience performing MIL-STD testing (e.g., MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461) including vibration, shock, thermal, and EMI/EMC testing
- Subject Matter Expert in aerospace structures and dynamics test environments
What the Team is Saying
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 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.
