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Shield AI

Posted 12 months ago

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Staff Loads Engineer (R4722)

DallasOn-siteFull-time

AI Summary

Leads the generation and analysis of aerodynamic and structural loads for an air vehicle, defining load envelopes, validating through tests or simulations, and coordinating cross-functionally to support sizing, aeroelastic stability, and flight performance.

About this role

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the 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:
As a Staff Loads Engineer, you will lead the generation and analysis of structural and aerodynamic load cases that define the mechanical environment for the next-gen air vehicle. You’ll play a key role in shaping how loads flow through the aircraft structure—supporting structural sizing, airworthiness, aeroelastic stability, and flight performance.
This is a highly cross-functional role requiring deep technical knowledge of aeroelastic theory, loads derivation, and flight vehicle behavior. You’ll collaborate closely with structural design, aero, GNC, and test engineering teams to ensure load paths are accurate, traceable, and validated through test or simulation.

What you'll do:

  • Own the development of aerodynamic and structural load envelopes for the full vehicle, from clean-sheet through flight test
  • Lead maneuver, gust, landing, and ground loads analyses, including both quasi-static and dynamic cases
  • Coordinate closely with GNC, aero, and structural teams to define load cases tied to mission profiles and flight control behaviors
  • Develop and validate loads models using tools like NASTRAN, FEMAP, MATLAB, or custom Python/Simulink scripts
  • Support the sizing and analysis of critical structural components through detailed load maps and V-n diagrams
  • Conduct aeroelastic stability assessments, including divergence and control reversal checks
  • Lead traceability of loads inputs/outputs across ICDs, FEA models, and design justification documents
  • Interface with test engineering to support strain gauge placement, instrumentation plans, and correlation of in-flight data
  • Author and present loads documentation for reviews, compliance, and technical buy-in
  • Support the long-term refinement of loads methodologies and automation across the aerostructures team

    • Required qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
  • 8+ years experience performing loads and aeroelastic analysis for aircraft (manned or unmanned)
  • Proficiency with loads modeling tools such as FEMAP, NASTRAN, MATLAB, or other relevant simulation environments
  • Strong understanding of aircraft flight envelopes, control surface effects, and structural load paths
  • Demonstrated experience supporting both design and test phases with accurate load predictions
  • Excellent documentation, cross-functional collaboration, and communication skills

    • Preferred qualifications:

  • Experience on UAV, eVTOL, or tactical military platforms
  • Familiarity with MIL-A-8860, FAR Part 23/25 loads regulations, or similar certification standards
  • Knowledge of aeroelastic stability, load alleviation, and adaptive control
  • Experience developing internal tools or automation for loads generation and reporting
  • Active or previous DoD clearance (not required)

    • Skills

    AerodynamicsAeroelastic AnalysisAeroelastic Stability AssessmentDocumentation And ReportingDynamics Load CasesFEMAPFEM/FEAGNC CoordinationGust/load AnalysesICD TraceabilityLoad Case DevelopmentLoad EnvelopesLoads ModelingMatlabNASTRANPythonSimulinkStrain Gauge PlanningStructural AnalysisTest Data CorrelationTransient/quasi-static AnalysisV-n Diagrams

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