# Staff Engineer, Mechanical Design - Launch and Recovery Systems

**Company**: Shield AI
**Location**: Dallas
**Work arrangement**: onsite
**Experience**: staff
**Job type**: full-time
**Salary**: $136,730 - $205,096 a year
**Category**: Engineering
**Industry**: Technology

**Apply**: https://jobs.lever.co/shieldai/38746bcd-9f50-4c37-b661-878a4f38a466
**Canonical**: https://yubhub.co/jobs/job_b5cb96d3-1d9

## Description

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.

## Skills

### Required
- mechanical design
- aerospace
- ground support equipment
- CAD software
- structural analysis
- material selection
- manufacturing processes
- MIL-STD design requirements
- finite element analysis
- thermal analysis
- fatigue/lifecycle testing