Senior Engineer, Mechanical Test

Job Description:

Do you enjoy working in a dynamic lab environment and contributing to hardware that can directly impact the safety of service members and civilians? Shield AI is looking for a hands-on engineer to help design, test, and validate the next generation of intelligent systems. The Mechanical Test team’s mission is to inform and improve Shield AI hardware design by quantifying product performance through custom measurement systems, specialized testing, and rigorous analysis. This role will focus on vibration, modal, structural, and environmental testing to help engineering teams understand how our products perform in real-world operating conditions. We are looking for candidates who are passionate about engineering principles, curious about how things work, and excited to grow in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. You will work closely with cross-functional partners to evaluate design performance, troubleshoot issues, and improve the customer experience. Success in this role requires technical creativity, strong organization, clear communication, and a willingness to listen, learn, debate respectfully, and solve difficult problems as part of a high-performing team.

What you'll do:

• Apply technical and creative problem-solving skills to quickly design, build, and deploy instrumented test and measurement systems.
• Support manual and automated data collection, processing, and analysis.
• Use measurement science and engineering analysis to understand the static and dynamic inputs, loads, and system responses that drive product performance.
• Build trusted relationships with mechanical design teams and apply your expertise to help identify the best design paths quickly.
• Plan and execute test programs, including ground and flight vibration testing, modal testing for finite element model validation, vibration troubleshooting, and strain gauge testing of structural components.
• Perform shaker table testing and support hardware qualification and development test campaigns.
• Maintain test equipment and ensure calibration requirements remain current.
• Develop test plans, technical reports, and detailed data reviews that clearly communicate results and inform design decisions.
• Support other test and engineering activities as needed.

Required qualifications:

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Hands-on experience with vibration testing of mechanical systems; internship, research, or project team experience is applicable.
• Experience with CAD modeling (NX preferred).
• Working knowledge of finite element analysis principles.
• Experience with modal testing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work hard, act as a trustworthy teammate, hold yourself and others to high standards, and treat others with kindness and respect.
• Track record of taking ownership of development processes, test efforts, or technical features and delivering high-quality outcomes.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced development environment, navigate ambiguity, overcome obstacles, and deliver results on schedule.

Preferred qualifications:

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Leadership experience on a project, research, or product development team.
• Experience with root cause investigation, failure analysis, design of experiments, or structured problem-solving methods.
• Experience in startup, R&D, aerospace, defense, robotics, UAV, or high-reliability hardware environments.
• Demonstrated adaptability, agility, and ability to innovate under pressure while meeting dynamic project demands.