Mechanical Design Engineer (Avionics) Intern - 2025 Summer Intern - Shield AI

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer (Avionics) Intern - 2025 Summer Intern
Job Location: San Diego Metro Area
Job Listing URL: https://jobs.lever.co/shieldai/5ad6bd8e-cce4-461e-84a0-56d009c031f6
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:
Our 2025 Summer Internship program is a wonderful opportunity for rising 2026 graduates to immerse themselves in an innovative and mission driven culture. Our 10-week paid internship program will provide you with hands on mentorship, an opportunity to add real contribution to our company via your internship project, and a possible job offer at the end. You will have the chance to make lifelong friendships, expand your network, and learn all about what it's like to work in a high-growth, fast scaling tech unicorn. You'll take part in company sponsored events and enjoy exploring a new city. Read on below to learn more about this unique internship!

The mechanical engineering team is responsible for mechanical design and development projects for Shield AI's autonomous UAV products. We follow a rigorous design process, as we innovate, prototype, test, and release creative design solutions. We work with cross-functional teams to ensure the successful development and launch of new products.
10 Week Project Scope & Description:
Work on real projects, meaningful and interesting work, with a mentor to guide you.
Have a great learning experience with a humble, inspiring team.
Help solve problems during development of next generation products.
Assist in the overall design, analysis, documentation, and functional validation of mechanical components and assemblies.
Perform tolerance analysis
Design tooling to hold devices-under-test (DUTs) during environmental testing.
Design test stands and test fixtures that interface with engines, electric motors, circuit boards, and various other aeronautical components.
Conduct tests to validate the robustness and proper performance of mechanical components.
Specify facilities requirements (electrical, plumbing, etc…) for environmental test chambers.
Contribute to and attend cross-functional design reviews. Advocate for design changes that result in simpler testing processes.
Other duties as assigned.
Required qualifications:
You are an undergraduate, graduate or PhD student expected to graduate in December 2025 or Spring 2026.
Pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field.
Proficiency in 3D CAD
Experience creating 2D drawings and tolerance analysis
Working knowledge of FEA principles
Demonstration of mechanical aptitude
Experience working on multidisciplinary hardware development projects, which can be from an internship, job, club, team, personal project, etc.
Great written and verbal communication.
Demonstrated history of showing ownership of project outcomes and delivering exceptional results.
Record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others.
Preferred qualifications:
Experience with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, NX, CATIA, etc… (NX preferred).
Ability to rapidly manufacture your designs in a machine shop.
Experience working with internal combustion engines. This could be in design, tuning, and/or assembly.
Familiarity with designing mechanical tooling or test fixtures.
Demonstrated adaptability, agility, and the ability to innovate under pressure to meet dynamic project demands and drive successful