# Senior Vibrations Test Engineer

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** Dallas, TX
**Role:** Hardware Engineering
**Salary:** $112k – $169k/yr
**Experience:** 5+ years
**Skills:** Vibration Testing, Modal Analysis, Structural Dynamics, Electrodynamic Shakers, Accelerometers, Data Acquisition, Finite Element Model Correlation, Mil-Std-810, CAD, Nx, Experimental Modal Analysis, Root Cause Analysis, Ansys, Abaqus, Nastran, Strain Gauges
**Posted:** 2026-06-30

> Lead vibration and structural dynamics testing to validate Shield AI's autonomous hardware. Plan/execute shaker tests, perform modal analysis, correlate with FEA models, and partner with design/analysis teams to improve mechanical performance for defense applications.

## Job Description

## What you'll do
- Lead the planning, execution, and analysis of vibration test programs supporting product development, qualification, and flight readiness.
- Design, build, and deploy instrumented test setups for vibration, modal, structural, and environmental testing using industry-standard measurement equipment.
- Execute shaker table testing including sine sweep, random vibration, sine-on-random, resonance search, dwell, and shock testing.
- Perform experimental modal analysis to characterize structural dynamics and validate finite element models.
- Develop fixture designs and test methodologies that accurately replicate operational loading conditions while minimizing fixture influence.
- Instrument hardware using accelerometers, strain gauges, force sensors, displacement sensors, and other dynamic measurement systems.
- Analyze vibration response data using frequency-domain and time-domain techniques to identify resonances, mode shapes, damping characteristics, and potential failure mechanisms.
- Partner closely with Mechanical Design and Structural Analysis engineers to correlate test results with analytical models and improve future designs.
- Investigate vibration-related hardware issues, perform root cause analysis, and recommend design improvements.
- Develop comprehensive test plans, procedures, reports, and technical presentations that clearly communicate results and engineering recommendations.
- Maintain vibration testing equipment, data acquisition systems, instrumentation, and calibration records.
- Support environmental qualification testing and other mechanical test activities as needed.

## Required qualifications
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Hands-on experience performing vibration testing of mechanical or aerospace systems through industry, research, internships, or competitive engineering projects.
- Experience operating electrodynamic shaker systems and associated vibration control software.
- Experience with accelerometers, signal conditioning, data acquisition systems, and dynamic instrumentation.
- Working knowledge of structural dynamics, vibration theory, modal analysis, and frequency response functions.
- Experience performing or supporting experimental modal testing and finite element model correlation.
- Familiarity with MIL-STD-810 vibration and shock testing or equivalent aerospace qualification standards.
- Experience interpreting vibration data and identifying resonances, structural response characteristics, and failure modes.
- Working knowledge of CAD software (NX preferred).
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate technical findings to multidisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated ability to take ownership of technical work, drive projects independently, and deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced engineering environment.
- Ability to obtain a Secret//Special Access Required (S//SAR) security clearance is desired.

## Preferred qualifications
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related technical field with an emphasis in structural dynamics or vibration.
- Experience designing vibration test fixtures and specialized dynamic test equipment.
- Experience using vibration control and data acquisition platforms such as Data Physics, Brüel & Kjær (HBK), Crystal Instruments, m+p International, LMS/Simcenter Testlab, or similar systems.
- Experience with finite element analysis software (ANSYS, Abaqus, Nastran, or equivalent) and test-analysis correlation.
- Experience with strain gauge testing, digital image correlation (DIC), or other advanced structural measurement techniques.
- Experience supporting aerospace, defense, robotics, UAV, or other high-reliability hardware development programs.
- Experience with Design of Experiments (DOE), root cause analysis, and failure investigation.

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