# Staff Engineer, Structural Design (R4955)
**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** San Diego, CA, Dallas, TX, Boston, MA
**Salary:** $130K-$200K
**Experience:** 7+ years
**Skills:** CAD, Nx, CATIA, Solidworks, GD&T, Dfma, FEA, Ansys, Abaqus, Nastran, Composite Structures, Metallic Structures
**Posted:** 2026-05-27
> Design and develop structural components for next-generation autonomous UAVs from concept through production, working cross-functionally with aerodynamics, propulsion, and manufacturing teams. Requires 7+ years aircraft structural design experience and proficiency in CAD and aerospace structures.
## Job Description
## Responsibilities
- Design and develop structural components and assemblies for next-generation UAV platform, supporting both primary and secondary aircraft structures
- Execute all stages of the design lifecycle including conceptual development, initial CAD modeling, detailed design, and drawing release
- Perform hand calculations for stress or strain with limited basic FEA analysis
- Collaborate with aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, payload, and manufacturing teams to support system integration across airframe interfaces
- Support structural validation efforts including coupon testing, subcomponent testing, and system-level verification
- Generate high-quality design documentation, drawings, interface definitions, and analysis reports in compliance with aerospace standards
- Partner with manufacturing and flight test teams to resolve build issues and support hardware through test and deployment
- Participate in design reviews and technical discussions

## Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
- 7+ years of experience in aircraft structural design or closely related aerospace structures
- Experience designing and releasing structural components in development or production environments
- Working knowledge of composite and metallic structures, including fasteners, bonded joints, and load paths
- Proficiency in CAD tools (NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, or similar)
- Understanding of GD&T, tolerance stackups, and DFMA principles
- Strong written and verbal technical communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to operate in fast-paced, high-ownership engineering environments

## Nice-to-Haves
- M.S. degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
- Experience supporting UAV, DoD, or aerospace vehicle programs
- Familiarity with aerospace standards (MIL-STD, ASME Y14.5, FAA)
- Experience supporting hardware through test, failure analysis, and design iteration
- Exposure to composite design and manufacturing methods
- Experience using FEA tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, or similar) for linear structural analysis
**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/staff-engineer-structural-design-r4955-at-shield-ai-71e5946d-c440-4c92-b49d-f4ff5e0b609d
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/staff-engineer-structural-design-r4955-at-shield-ai-71e5946d-c440-4c92-b49d-f4ff5e0b609d