# Senior Staff Engineer, Mechanical Test (R4413)

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** Dallas, TX
**Role:** Hardware Engineering
**Salary:** $160k – $240k/yr
**Experience:** 12+ years
**Skills:** Python, Siemens Nx, Finite Element Analysis, Hydraulic Systems, Load Cells, Pressure Transducers, Strain Gauges, Accelerometers, Mil-Std-810, Mil-Std-461
**Posted:** 2026-01-15

> Leads mechanical testing for aircraft hardware, designing test fixtures with hydraulics and sensors, automating data analysis with Python, and performing FEA on metallic/composite materials. Requires 12+ years experience, Mechanical Engineering degree, and NX proficiency.

## Job Description

## What you'll do
- Develop and execute test plans to validate mechanical performance, structural integrity, and environmental durability from start to finish.
- Design, build, and operate test fixtures and systems involving hydraulic actuation, mechanical linkages, and sensor instrumentation.
- Integrate and calibrate a range of sensors (e.g., load cells, pressure transducers, strain gauges, accelerometers) into test setups for accurate data collection.
- Create and maintain python scripts to provide automation, signal processing, and result visualization.
- Analyze test data, troubleshoot system behaviors, and generate detailed technical reports with design feedback.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including mechanical design, systems, and electrical engineering to define test requirements, run test campaigns and deliver high quality results.
- Lead CAD design of custom test equipment, prototypes, fixtures, and components, ensuring manufacturability and safety.
- Perform Finite Element Analysis to simulate mechanical performance, validate design assumptions, and correlate analytical results with test data.
- Work with metallic/composite materials in the design, fabrication, and testing of mechanical components, with consideration for their unique properties such as anisotropy, delamination risk, and layup configuration.
- Support lab safety protocols, equipment maintenance, and continuous improvement of test capabilities.

## Required qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
- 12+ years of experience in mechanical testing or product development environments.
- Strong working knowledge of hydraulic systems and their control/measurement.
- Experience with sensor selection, integration, and calibration in test environments.
- Proficiency in Python for scripting, test automation, and data analysis.
- Advanced CAD skills in Siemens NX with experience designing test hardware and prototypes.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and in team settings.

## Preferred qualifications
- Hands-on experience performing MIL-STD testing (e.g., MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461) including vibration, shock, thermal, and EMI/EMC testing.
- Subject Matter Expert in aerospace structures and dynamics test environments.

## Similar roles

- [Staff Mechanical Engineer, New Product Development](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/2fe15013-944e-4cee-9115-d7d32cc9ab7b) - Eightsleep - San Francisco, CA - $160k – $240k/yr
- [Senior Staff Engineer, Structures - Launch Recovery Vehicle (R4765)](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/511d1b69-34ff-4f88-b2e7-078f16491e0b) - Shield AI - Dallas, TX - $160k – $240k/yr
- [Staff Hardware Reliability Engineer (R4675)](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/eed91aae-ce25-4975-a406-ecb90a21ee8e) - Shield AI - Dallas, TX - $159k – $238k/yr
- [Senior Staff Aerostructures Design Engineer](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/46b00b6b-d01c-461c-8668-077df9824923) - Shield AI - Dallas, TX - $167k – $250k/yr
- [Senior Staff Engineer, Mechanical Design (R4486)](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/4ef64054-0888-4132-bd77-02ad89fecb20) - Shield AI - Dallas, TX - $167k – $250k/yr

**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/7536a9cf-160e-44b7-82bb-e4a1ab781807
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/7536a9cf-160e-44b7-82bb-e4a1ab781807