Senior Manager, Mechanisms Engineering (R4858)

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Manager, Mechanisms Engineering to support the development of mechanisms for our next-generation autonomous aircraft program. As a contributor on the Launch and Recovery Vehicle team you will lead the design and development of high-performance mechanisms from concept through production release. In this role, you’ll lead and contribute to the development of complex, mission-critical technologies while guiding a talented team to deliver at a high level. Blending hands-on technical work with leadership, you’ll help drive innovation, solve challenging problems, and bring cutting-edge systems from concept to reality.

Responsibilities

Directly contribute to the design, analysis, and integration of mechanical systems and subsystems for X-BAT Launch and Recovery Vehicle; Establish and improve pragmatic mechanical engineering standards, templates, specifications, and best practices that increase design quality, reduce rework, and enable faster iteration; Own mechanical engineering deliverables across the product lifecycle—from early concept and prototyping through test, production, and field support—with a bias toward execution and delivery; Own failure mode analysis and reliability modeling for mechanical systems, establish lightweight, repeatable practices (e.g., FMEA, fault trees) that proactively identify risks, reduce field failures, and inform design tradeoffs; Partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Program Management, and Flight Operations to ensure designs are buildable, testable, and reliable in real-world environments; Provide hands-on technical support during ground and flight testing, demos, and field operations; rapidly troubleshoot and implement design fixes under tight timelines; Lead, mentor, and develop a team of mechanical engineers, providing technical guidance, regular feedback, and clear expectations for ownership and execution; Recruit and hire experienced mechanical engineers to strengthen team capability, elevate technical standards, and improve mentorship depth; Act as a player-coach: balance meaningful individual technical contribution with team leadership, design reviews, and day-to-day unblock of engineers; Establish team norms around accountability, decision-making speed, and engineering rigor—ensuring high-quality output without slowing momentum; Set clear priorities aligned with program goals; actively manage team bandwidth, identify risks early, and communicate tradeoffs to leadership; Drive clear and concise technical communication, ensuring design decisions, assumptions, and tradeoffs are well-documented and understood across functions

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline; 10+ years of experience in mechanical design for aerospace, ground support equipment, or related ruggedized hardware systems; 3+ years of leadership/manager with demonstrated excellence in building, retaining, and leading a high performing engineering team; Proficiency in 3D CAD software (NX preferred) with demonstrated ability to create detailed GD&T-compliant component and assembly 3D models and drawings; Proficiency in developing drawing templates/standards, and design/manufacturing specifications; Familiarity with industry standards (ASME, ISO, ASTM, or industry-specific regulatory requirements); Experience with engineering analysis methods (FEA, stress, thermal, tolerance stack-up, fatigue, fluid flow as applicable) to validate design integrity; Ownership of 2–3 full product development cycles from concept through release to production to on-going customer sustainment; Cross-functional collaboration experience with other Engineering Functions, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Program Management, and Field Operations; Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-ownership development environment with evolving priorities; Strong written and verbal technical communication skills

Nice to have

M.S. degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering; Experience supporting UAV, DoD, or aerospace full vehicle programs; Familiarity with aerospace standards (MIL-STD, ASME Y14.5, FAA); Knowledge of manufacturing processes (machining, sheet metal, injection molding, casting, additive manufacturing) and ability to design for manufacturability (DFM); Knowledge of reliability modeling and analysis methods; Experience using FEA tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, or similar) for linear structural analysis; Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired

Benefits

Bonus; Benefits; Equity; Temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)