Staff Engineer, Aircraft Configuration Design (R5830)

Shield AI
San Diego
Workplace: OnsiteFull timeUSD 144,000 - 210,000 annuallyFunction: Design (Product/UX/UI/Visual)Experience: 5+ yearsEducation: bachelorsSkills: ["Problem-solving","Attention to detail","Cross-functional collaboration","Communication","Technical documentation"]

Assist in the conceptual and preliminary design of autonomous UAV configurations, harmonizing aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, and mission systems for performance and manufacturability. Support aircraft sizing, weight estimation, and trade studies, develop/refine 3D CAD models, and perform basic aerodynamic/structural analysis. Partner with multidisciplinary engineering teams, participate in design reviews, and support rapid prototyping and wind tunnel testing to transition designs toward prototype and production.

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FursaFursa
Shield AI
Shield AI
1 day ago

Staff Engineer, Aircraft Configuration Design (R5830)

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Canonical indexed version, validated from employer's careers page.

Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 13 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Assist in the conceptual and preliminary design of autonomous UAV configurations, harmonizing aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, and mission systems for performance and manufacturability. Support aircraft sizing, weight estimation, and trade studies, develop/refine 3D CAD models, and perform basic aerodynamic/structural analysis. Partner with multidisciplinary engineering teams, participate in design reviews, and support rapid prototyping and wind tunnel testing to transition designs toward prototype and production.
Location: San Diego
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Design (Product/UX/UI/Visual)
Seniority: Mid level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Assist in the conceptual and preliminary design of UAV platforms, optimizing aerodynamic and structural configurations.
  • •Support aircraft sizing, weight estimation, and trade studies for different airframe configurations.
  • •Work with multidisciplinary engineering teams to integrate aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, avionics, and mission systems.
  • •Develop and refine 3D CAD models and perform basic aerodynamic and structural analysis to assess feasibility and performance.
  • •Participate in design reviews and support rapid prototyping, wind tunnel testing, requirements documentation, and transition to prototype and production.

Pay and Benefits

Salary: USD 144,000 - 210,000 annually
Equity and Bonus:Equity

Key Requirements

  • •5 years of experience in aircraft design, configuration layout, or airframe integration.
  • •Proficiency in CAD modeling (NX, SolidWorks, or similar) for airframe and structural design.
  • •Basic understanding of aircraft aerodynamics, structures, and propulsion system integration.
  • •Ability to perform basic FEA, CFD, or weight & balance assessments.
  • •Active Secret clearance.
Experience:5+ yearsUAV designDefenseAerospace
Education:Bachelor's in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering (or related field)
Skills:Problem-solvingAttention to detailCross-functional collaborationCommunicationTechnical documentation
Tech Stack:NXSolidWorksCAD modelingFEACFD3D CAD

Eligibility

Security Clearance:SecretTS

Company Brief

Shield AI
Develops AI-powered autonomy and software for military aircraft and drones to enable autonomous ISR and combat missions, integrating perception, navigation, and mission planning for defense customers.
Industry: Defense Technology
Company Size: Large (251 to 1,000 employees)
Growth: Scaleup
Funding: Series E+
Headquarters: San Diego, United States
Founded: 2015
WebsiteLinkedIn