Staff Engineer, Landing Gear Systems (R5372)

Founded in 2015, 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 and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. 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.

Are you a passionate and innovative product design engineer looking to help develop state-of-the-art AI and aircraft products? Are you eager to make a positive difference in the world? Do you want to work alongside mission driven and values focused teammates? Shield AI is just the place for you!

As a Principal Landing Gear Engineer, you will be responsible for contributing to the mechanical design and development of Shield AI's autonomous UAV products. You will help architect landing gear on next generation unmanned aerial platforms, perform the detailed design of landing gear, doors and related mechanisms, and will use best in class design and analysis tools. You will collaborate closely with internal and/or external partners to prototype, test and release products to production. You will also help ensure product features achieve performance, schedule and reliability goals.

Design electro-mechanical or hydro-mechanical landing gear for autonomous aircraft

Own the full design process: concept, CAD design, analysis, tolerance stackups, material selection, and drawing release

Perform structural and kinematic calculations and preliminary FEA

Prototype, test, and iterate mechanism designs for functionality and reliability

Collaborate with electrical, avionics, hydraulics, and structures teams

Support pre-production builds, prototype integration, and ground/flight testing

B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

7+ years in mechanical or mechanism design

Strong CAD skills (NX preferred)

Experience with UAVs, aircraft, rotorcraft, or other landable air systems

Kinematic analysis and optimization of retractable landing gear systems

Knowledge of tire, wheel, and brake selection along with brake control systems

Familiarity with nose wheel steering systems

Structural analysis utilizing hand calculations and finite element methods

FEA analysis: Modal, non-linear and linear, buckling, fatigue

GD&T and tolerance stack-ups for mechanical systems

Materials selection inclusive of alloys, heat treatments, allowables, and finishes

Ability to work independently in fast-paced, cross-functional teams

Familiarity with electro-mechanical actuators

Proficiency in FMEA, DOE, and root cause analysis

Hands-on machine shop or mechanic experience (professional or hobby)

RTCA DO-160, MIL-STD-810, structural, actuated mechanism, or AS6053 drop testing experience

Ability to thrive in startup, R&D, or defense innovation environments