Senior Staff Engineer, Structural Analysis (R4954)

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Staff Structural Analyst to provide advanced technical leadership in the structural analysis and validation of next-generation UAV platforms. In this role, you will serve as a senior subject-matter expert for airframe structures, leading complex analysis efforts, supporting test correlation, and ensuring structural integrity across development, flight test, and production. This role is ideal for engineers with 12–15+ years of experience who have led major structural workstreams on aerospace programs and are comfortable owning analysis execution, mentoring engineers, and influencing key design tradeoffs within a program.

Responsibilities

Lead structural analysis efforts for UAV airframes, major substructures, and critical components within a program scope.; 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 sound 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, including defining requirements, participating in execution, and correlating results to analysis.; Review structural analysis deliverables, test reports, and technical documentation for design reviews.; Mentor and technically guide structural analysts across varying experience levels.; Partner cross-functionally with design, loads, aero, propulsion, and systems teams to balance structural requirements with overall aircraft performance goals.; Contribute to evolving analysis methodologies and improving structural standards within the organization.

Requirements

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.; 10+ years of experience in structural analysis, aircraft structures, or aerospace systems.; Strong expertise with FEA tools (ANSYS, NASTRAN, HyperWorks, or similar).; 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 within a program.; Strong communication skills and experience presenting analysis findings to engineering leadership.; Ability to get a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

Nice to have

Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.; Experience serving 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; Equity