Engineer I, Mechanical Hardware Test

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai . Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn , X , Instagram , and YouTube .

Job Description:

Shield AI is pioneering the development of AI-powered autonomous aircraft for national defense, pushing the boundaries of aerospace innovation. Our next-generation UAS is a high-endurance unmanned system designed for deployment in complex, contested environments.

We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer I to support the design, development, and testing of flight hardware and mechanical test systems. In this entry-level role, you will work alongside experienced engineers to develop fixed and field-deployable solutions for hardware qualification, environmental testing, stress testing, and sustainment.

You will gain hands-on experience in mechanical design, structural analysis, and aerospace test systems while collaborating with engineering, manufacturing, and flight operations teams.

What you'll do:

• Support the design, analysis, fabrication, and assembly of mechanical and structural systems.
• Create and revise CAD models, engineering drawings, and manufacturing specifications.
• Assist in designing structural and electromechanical test stands and fixtures for aeronautical components.
• Participate in prototyping, testing, troubleshooting, and design validation.
• Perform structural, thermal, and fatigue assessments with guidance from experienced engineers.
• Develop test procedures, document results, and communicate findings.
• Participate in design reviews and contribute ideas that improve reliability, manufacturability, and testability.
• Support coordination with manufacturing teams and suppliers during fabrication and assembly.
• Apply engineering fundamentals to hands-on technical problems in laboratory, shop, and field environments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required qualifications:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related STEM field.
• 0–2 years of relevant experience; internships, co-ops, research, and substantial academic projects may count toward this requirement.
• Foundational knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, physics, and mathematics.
• Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, or similar.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings, material selection, structural analysis, and common manufacturing processes.
• Hands-on experience building, testing, or troubleshooting mechanical systems.
• Ability to organize technical work, document results, and communicate effectively.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced development environment with evolving priorities.
• Record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others.

Preferred qualifications:

• Internship, co-op, research, or project experience in aerospace, robotics, automotive, test engineering, or a related field.
• Familiarity with finite element analysis, thermal analysis, or fatigue and lifecycle testing.
• Experience designing or testing aerospace structures, test fixtures, or ground support equipment.
• Experience using machine-shop tools or rapid-prototyping methods.
• Exposure to instrumentation, sensors, data-acquisition systems, or electromechanical systems.
• Familiarity with hydraulics, nondestructive evaluation or testing, or aerospace testing practices.

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