Engineering Manager, Mechanisms (R2785) - Shield AI

Job Title: Engineering Manager, Mechanisms (R2785)
Job Location: Dallas Metro Area
Job Listing URL: https://jobs.lever.co/shieldai/77a803b0-fc1a-41f8-b8c8-df096a164fda
Job Description: Introduction to Shield AI
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company whose mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. In pursuit of this mission, Shield AI is building the world’s best AI pilot. Its AI pilot, Hivemind, has flown a fighter jet (F-16), a vertical takeoff and landing drone (V-BAT), and a quadcopter (Nova). The company has offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington DC and abroad. Shield AI’s products and people are currently in the field actively supporting operations with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. allies.

Job Description:
Are you a visionary Mechanical Engineering Manager with a flair for complex mechanisms? Do you thrive on turning ideas into groundbreaking products that make a difference? If so, we want you on our team!

We are looking for an experienced Aircraft Mechanisms Engineering Manager to join our engineering team. In this role, you will be at the forefront of designing and optimizing structural components and systems for cutting-edge aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). As the Engineering Manager, Mechanisms, you’ll lead a team working on cutting-edge mechanical systems for advanced aircraft and UAVs. You’ll bring a hands-on approach to designing, testing, and optimizing complex mechanical assemblies. Your contributions will be critical in advancing the capabilities of our intelligent systems used in high-stakes defense applications.
What you'll do:
Lead hands-on design and development of mechanical systems, including actuators, linkages, and moving components.
Collaborate across teams to integrate mechanisms into UAV and aircraft platforms.
Drive prototype testing, troubleshooting, and optimization.
Mentor engineers through hands-on problem-solving and technical development.
Ensure designs meet performance, reliability, and safety standards.
Other duties as assigned.
Required qualifications:
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in aerospace engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
7+ years of experience in hands-on mechanical design, including complex mechanisms
Proven ability to lead teams through complex technical challenges.
Strong understanding of commonly used materials and carbon fiber composites & their mechanical/thermal behavior.
Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA) and FEA tools (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus).
In-depth knowledge of materials science, structural mechanics, and aerodynamics.
Experience with validation testing and compliance with aerospace standards.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
You have a demonstrated record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others.
Demonstrated track record of assuming ownership over development processes and features and delivering outstanding outcomes
Preferred qualifications:
M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent.
Leadership experience on a project team
Problem solving skills including root cause investigation, failure analysis, and DOE
Experience using Siemens NX
Experience working on cutting-edge autonomous robotic systems
Proven background in thriving within fast-paced environments, particularly within startup or R&D settings
Demonstrated adaptability, agility, and the ability to innovate under pressure to meet dynamic project demands and drive successful outcomes.