Staff Engineer, Mechanical (R5482)

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. Job Description: We are seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer who can lead complex hardware efforts from concept through deployment. This individual will own mechanical design while integrating electronics, RF systems, and composite structures into cohesive, field-ready platforms. You should be comfortable operating as a technical lead and driving cross-functional execution.

What you'll do:: Lead mechanical design and integration for airborne or ruggedized systems, from concept through production. Own system-level packaging of electronics, including radios, antennas, PCBAs, and harnessing. Design and integrate components into composite and metallic structures. Drive cross-functional collaboration across electrical, RF, manufacturing, and test teams. Serve as project lead on select programs, managing scope, schedule, and technical execution. Perform and guide analyses including structural, thermal, and environmental considerations. Create and review CAD models, drawings, and release packages for production. Support prototype builds, integration, and troubleshooting in lab and field environments. Ensure designs meet reliability, manufacturability, and performance requirements. Required qualifications;: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field. 8+ years of experience in mechanical design and product development. Strong experience with CAD (e.g., NX, SolidWorks, Creo). Proven ability to take products from concept to production. Experience working in cross-functional engineering environments. Demonstrated ownership of projects or subsystems with minimal oversight. Preferred qualifications:: Experience integrating electronics into mechanical systems, including: Radios, antennas, and RF components. PCBAs and embedded electronics. Familiarity with wiring and cable systems, including coax, RF cables, and harness design (e.g., RG-series, RMA considerations). Experience designing for composite structures and hybrid assemblies (composite + metal). Understanding of thermal management for electronics (heat dissipation, airflow, conduction paths). Knowledge of grounding, shielding, and EMI/EMC considerations. Experience with ground support equipment (GSE) design or test infrastructure. Familiarity with environmental requirements (vibration, shock, temperature, ingress). Experience working closely with RF or electrical engineering t