Staff Engineer, Mass Properties - Ranger (R6353)

The role

This role is a Staff Engineer for mass properties on the Ranger autonomous aircraft. You will estimate and verify weight, center of gravity and inertia, run trade studies, and keep the mass properties database and reports up to date.

What you will do

• Lead and take part in system-level trade studies to optimize payload, propulsion, power, thermal and flight dynamics.
• Estimate mass properties for early-stage designs, prototypes and full-scale production.
• Estimate, calculate and verify weight, center of gravity and inertia for components, assemblies and complete aircraft.
• Develop and refine analysis tools and methods for mass properties estimation and optimization.
• Generate and maintain mass properties reports for engineering, manufacturing and leadership teams.
• Run mass properties verification tests to validate design assumptions.
• Work with aerodynamics, structures, avionics, propulsion and manufacturing teams to control mass properties.
• Maintain and update the mass properties database to track weight trends across programs.

Required qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Science/Engineering or a related field.
• 3+ years of mass properties analysis in aerospace, defense or high-tech vehicle development.
• Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, Siemens NX or similar.
• Familiarity with mass properties standards (ATA100, SAWE RP A-7, RP 7, RP 8 or predecessors).
• Experience defining mass properties requirements and ensuring compliance across design iterations.
• Experience developing and maintaining a Mass Properties Management and Control Plan.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Benefits

• Bonus and equity for full-time regular employees.
• Benefits for full-time regular employees.
• Temporary benefits package for temporary employees, applicable after 60 days of employment.

Before you apply

• All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check.
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits.

About the company

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company that builds intelligent systems to protect service members and civilians. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation technologies.