Shield AI

Overview

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company founded in 2015, focused on protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. The Staff Field Services Engineer, Structures will provide technical ownership of V-BAT airframe and structural issues across the fielded fleet.

Responsibilities

• Own technical evaluation of V-BAT airframe, structural, mechanical, and repair-related sustainment issues.
• Assess field-reported structural damage, wear, cracking, deformation, corrosion, and impact damage.
• Evaluate structural findings from field returns, depot inspections, and maintenance events.
• Provide engineering recommendations for repair, rework, or replacement based on technical risk.
• Support Material Review Board activity with structural engineering input.
• Develop, review, or approve structural repair instructions and inspection criteria.
• Partner with various teams to resolve structural issues impacting readiness or customer support.
• Support root cause investigations for structural failures and recurring mechanical issues.
• Assess whether structural issues affect aircraft safety, airworthiness, and mission readiness.
• Provide technical input to retrofit plans and design improvements.
• Ensure structural repairs and configuration changes are documented and coordinated.
• Review technical documents to support technical dispositions.
• Identify recurring structural issues that require corrective action.
• Support development of repair limits and practical field maintenance guidance.
• Coordinate with manufacturing and depot teams to ensure repair methods are executable.
• Provide timely technical guidance for urgent sustainment issues.
• Support lessons learned from X-BAT to inform future sustainment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in aerospace structures, mechanical engineering, or airframe sustainment.
• Experience evaluating structural damage and mechanical failures.
• Strong understanding of metallic and composite structures and structural repair methods.
• Experience developing engineering dispositions and repair instructions.
• Ability to evaluate field damage and recommend repair paths under time-sensitive conditions.
• Experience working with Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, and Operations teams.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings, specifications, and configuration control.
• Ability to assess structural risk in terms of safety and readiness.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to investigate field reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to operate independently as a senior technical individual contributor.
• Ability to balance engineering rigor with operational urgency.