Staff Mechanical Engineer

Shield AI is seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead complex hardware efforts from concept through deployment. The successful candidate will own mechanical design while integrating electronics, RF systems, and composite structures into cohesive, field-ready platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and integration for airborne or ruggedized systems, from concept through production.
• Own system-level packaging of electronics, including radios, antennas, PCBAs, and harnessing.
• Design and integrate components into composite and metallic structures.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration across electrical, RF, manufacturing, and test teams.
• Serve as project lead on select programs, managing scope, schedule, and technical execution.
• Perform and guide analyses including structural, thermal, and environmental considerations.
• Create and review CAD models, drawings, and release packages for production.
• Support prototype builds, integration, and troubleshooting in lab and field environments.
• Ensure designs meet reliability, manufacturability, and performance requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in mechanical design and product development.
• Strong experience with CAD (e.g., NX, SolidWorks, Creo).
• Proven ability to take products from concept to production.
• Experience working in cross-functional engineering environments.
• Demonstrated ownership of projects or subsystems with minimal oversight.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience integrating electronics into mechanical systems, including:
• Radios, antennas, and RF components.
• PCBAs and embedded electronics.
• Familiarity with wiring and cable systems, including coax, RF cables, and harness design (e.g., RG-series, RMA considerations).
• Experience designing for composite structures and hybrid assemblies (composite + metal).
• Understanding of thermal management for electronics (heat dissipation, airflow, conduction paths).
• Knowledge of grounding, shielding, and EMI/EMC considerations.
• Experience with ground support equipment (GSE) design or test infrastructure.
• Familiarity with environmental requirements (vibration, shock, temperature, ingress).
• Experience working closely with RF or electrical engineering teams on system integration.
• Hands-on build, integration, and troubleshooting experience.

Leadership Expectations

• Act as a technical lead for projects or subsystems.
• Drive design reviews and decision-making.
• Mentor junior engineers and elevate team capability.
• Balance speed and rigor in a fast-paced development environment.

Additional Information

• 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.