Senior Staff Engineer, Aerostructures Stress Analyst (RX) (R5845)

The role

This senior staff engineer leads structural analysis for a next-generation autonomous aircraft system, covering UAV airframes, substructures and critical components. The role also covers test strategy and mentoring structural analysts.

What you will do

• Lead structural analysis efforts for UAV airframes, major substructures and critical components.
• Define and execute finite element modeling approaches, load cases, assumptions and margin assessments.
• Perform and oversee static, modal, fatigue, vibration and damage-tolerance analyses.
• Establish practices for hand calculations, model validation and analysis-to-test correlation.
• Drive structural optimization across performance, weight, cost and manufacturability targets.
• Support structural test strategy and correlate test results to analysis.
• Review analysis deliverables, test reports and technical documentation for design reviews.
• Mentor and technically guide structural analysts.
• Partner with design, loads, aero, propulsion and systems teams.
• Contribute to analysis methodologies and structural standards.

Required qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in structural analysis, aircraft structures or aerospace systems.
• Strong expertise with FEA tools such as ANSYS, NASTRAN or HyperWorks.
• Advanced proficiency in hand calculations for strength, stability, fatigue and damage tolerance.
• Significant experience with composite and lightweight aerospace structures.
• Experience supporting structural testing, model correlation and flight test validation.
• Ability to lead complex technical workstreams and influence design decisions.
• Strong communication skills and experience presenting findings to engineering leadership.
• Ability to obtain an S//SAR level security clearance.

Nice to have

• Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Experience as a senior technical lead on aircraft or UAV structural programs.
• Hands-on involvement in flight test support and certification efforts.
• Experience contributing to internal analysis standards or best practices.
• Familiarity with CAD, PLM and enterprise engineering toolchains.

Benefits

• Bonus
• Benefits (full-time regular employees)
• Equity (full-time regular employees)
• Temporary benefits package, applicable after 60 days of employment (temporary employees)

Before you apply

• All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check.
• Pay depends on factors including skill set, experience, licenses and certifications, and work location.
• 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.