Staff Mechanical Design Engineer

A venture-backed defense technology company founded in 2015, developing intelligent autonomous systems for protecting service members and civilians.
$132,611 - $198,917
Embedded
Staff Software Engineer
In-Person
501 - 1,000 Employees
7+ years of experience
AI · Robotics · Automotive

Description For Staff Mechanical Design Engineer

Shield AI, a pioneering defense technology company founded in 2015, is at the forefront of developing intelligent autonomous systems for military and civilian protection. With offices spanning globally from San Diego to Melbourne, they're making significant impacts in autonomous UAV technology. They're currently seeking a Staff Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the development of next-generation autonomous UAV platforms.

The role offers an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge autonomous systems, specifically focusing on mechanism design for UAVs. The position demands expertise in creating precision mechanical systems that can perform in harsh environments. You'll be responsible for developing everything from landing gear to deployable payload systems, working with state-of-the-art technology that has real-world applications in defense and security.

The ideal candidate will bring 7+ years of experience in mechanical systems design, preferably in aerospace or robotics. You'll need to demonstrate mastery of CAD systems, FEA principles, and manufacturing processes. The role combines technical leadership with hands-on engineering, requiring both design expertise and the ability to mentor junior engineers.

Working at Shield AI means joining a mission-driven team that's pushing the boundaries of autonomous technology. The company offers competitive compensation ($132,611 - $198,917) plus bonus and equity, reflecting the high-impact nature of the work. This is an opportunity to design innovative solutions that directly contribute to protecting service members and civilians worldwide.

Last updated 4 days ago

Responsibilities For Staff Mechanical Design Engineer

  • Architect and design complex electro-mechanical mechanisms for autonomous aircraft
  • Own the full design lifecycle: concept creation, detailed CAD, tolerance stack-up, material selection, and drawing release
  • Perform structural and kinematic calculations, tolerance analysis, and preliminary FEA
  • Rapidly prototype, iterate, and test mechanism concepts
  • Work with cross-functional teams for system integration
  • Collaborate with manufacturing teams for DFM-ready designs
  • Lead design reviews and engineering discussions
  • Mentor junior engineers
  • Contribute to pre-production builds and testing
  • Investigate failures and implement design improvements

Requirements For Staff Mechanical Design Engineer

  • B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
  • 7+ years of experience designing mechanical systems
  • Strong proficiency in CAD (NX, SolidWorks, or equivalent)
  • Working knowledge of FEA principles
  • Skilled in tolerance stack-ups, GD&T, ANSI Y14.5
  • Experience designing with metallic and composite materials
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and lead projects
  • High accountability and technical ownership

Benefits For Staff Mechanical Design Engineer

Medical Insurance
Equity
  • Bonus
  • Benefits Package
  • Equity

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