Staff Engineer, Mechanical Design - Launch and Recovery Systems

Shield AI is pioneering the development of AI-powered autonomous aircraft for national defence. We are seeking a Staff Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the design, development, and testing of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) for our next-gen UAS.

This role is instrumental in creating robust, field-deployable support systems that enable aircraft operations, maintenance, and sustainment in military environments.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing and developing mechanical systems for GSE, including power units, transport structures, launch & recovery systems, and maintenance tools.
• Creating detailed CAD models, drawings, and specifications for manufacturing and assembly.
• Conducting structural, thermal, and fatigue analysis to ensure durability and reliability of GSE in field environments.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate GSE with aircraft systems and mission operations.
• Performing trade studies and system optimization to enhance portability, ruggedness, and maintainability of support systems.
• Overseeing prototyping, testing, and validation of GSE designs to meet military and aviation standards.
• Developing technical documentation, test procedures, and support manuals for field operations.
• Working with suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure cost-effective production and sustainment of GSE.

Requirements include:

• 7+ years of experience in mechanical design for aerospace, ground support equipment, or heavy industrial systems.
• Expertise in CAD software (SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, or similar) for 3D modeling, drawing creation, and system layout.
• Strong background in structural analysis, material selection, and manufacturing processes for ruggedized systems.
• Experience designing deployable, transportable, and field-ready aerospace support equipment.
• Knowledge of MIL-STD design requirements for aerospace ground support systems.
• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA), thermal analysis, and fatigue/lifecycle testing.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, agile development environment with evolving priorities.