Senior Staff Mechanical Engineer (R5990)

Seattle · USD 208,000-312,000 / year · 10+ years experience · Onsite · Posted Sep 22, 2026

At a glance

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Staff Mechanical Engineer to support the design, development, integration, and fielding of a next-generation autonomous aircraft system.
This position requires a balance of technical rigor, rapid decision-making, and hands-on engineering to efficiently transition concepts into operational capability.

Design complex electro-mechanical solutions for avionics packaging, electrical interconnects, thermal management, and aircraft integration
Perform structural, preliminary thermal, and modal analyses for avionics to ensure survivability in harsh environments
Ensure avionics meet performance, safety, environmental, and EMI/EMC compliance standards, including DO-160, DO-254, DO-178C, MIL-STD-810, and MIL-STD-461
Own your design work from concept to reviews through system validation, failure analysis, and flight test readiness

B.S. and/or MS in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering
10+ years of experience in mechanical & electrical equipment design for aerospace, including harness integration and mechanical component design
Expertise in CAD software (NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar) for 3D modeling, drawing creation, and system layout
Familiarity with eCAD software (Altium, Cadence, Allegro), and harness design software (Capital, Zuken)
Experience working with electrical engineers to define PCB constraints, develop circuit cards, and care for all the mechanical interfaces
Familiarity with the PCB layout process and advanced manufacturing methods
Experience with finite element analysis (FEA), thermal analysis, and fatigue/lifecycle testing
Ability to work in a fast-paced, agile development environment with evolving priorities