Staff Engineer, Mechanical & Actuated Systems (R5293)

Location

Dallas, TX

Wage

$130,000 – $200,000/yr

Employment Type

Full-time

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Posted on August 20, 2026

Job Description

Overview

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company focused on protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems, including UAV products. The Staff Mechanical & Actuated Systems Engineer will contribute to the mechanical design and development of autonomous UAV products, working in a collaborative environment to ensure performance and reliability.

Responsibilities

  • Design complex electro-mechanical or hydro-mechanical mechanisms for autonomous aircraft
  • Own the full design process: concept, CAD design, analysis, tolerance stack-ups, material selection, and drawing release
  • Perform structural and kinematic calculations and preliminary FEA
  • Prototype, test, and iterate mechanism designs for functionality and reliability
  • Collaborate with electrical, avionics, hydraulics, flight controls, and propulsion teams
  • Support pre-production builds, prototype integration, and ground/flight testing

Requirements

  • B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering
  • 7+ years in mechanical or mechanism design
  • Strong CAD skills (NX preferred)
  • Kinematic analysis and optimization
  • Structural analysis utilizing hand calculations and finite element methods
  • FEA analysis: Modal, non-linear and linear, buckling, fatigue
  • GD&T and tolerance stack-ups for mechanical systems
  • Materials selection inclusive of alloys, heat treatments, allowables, and finishes
  • Ability to work independently in fast-paced, cross-functional teams
  • A demonstrated record of working hard, being trustworthy, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others