Shield AI

Builds autonomous aircraft for defense

Director – Avionics Mechanical Engineering

Engineering LeadershipConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeSeattle, WA, USAIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering is required.
At least 15 years of experience in mechanical design around electronics and electrical systems, including significant early-career, hands-on design of enclosures, thermal solutions, and harness integration.
At least 5 years of people leadership, including managing managers or leading multiple engineering teams.
A proven record of building and scaling engineering teams through rapid growth.
A record of delivering complex avionics or electro-mechanical hardware from concept through production.
Deep technical fluency in avionics packaging, finite element analysis, thermal analysis, and fatigue and lifecycle testing.
Experience setting engineering strategy, standards, and processes across an organization.
Experience managing relationships with fabrication shops, contract manufacturers, and key suppliers.
Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance.
Experience leading hardware teams on aircraft, spacecraft, launch vehicles, or defense platforms is preferred.
Background in high-rate hardware production, such as satellites, electric-vehicle power electronics, or autonomous vehicles is preferred.
Experience with DO-160, MIL-STD-810, or similar environmental qualification standards is preferred.
A degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or equivalent Engineering is preferred.

Responsibilities

Own the technical vision, strategy, and roadmap for mechanical, thermal, and electrical wiring interconnection system engineering across X-BAT flight and ground avionics.
Build and scale a multi-team organization by hiring and developing managers and technical leads, defining organizational structure, and planning headcount to meet near- and long-term program goals.
Be accountable for the organization's delivery of complex electro-mechanical hardware that survives harsh environments, from architecture through qualification and production.
Set engineering standards, design review practices, and processes for thermal, mechanical, and harness design of flight-critical avionics.
Serve as the final technical authority on key mechanical and thermal architecture tradeoffs, and escalate risk to program leadership with clear recommendations.
Partner with electrical engineering, radio frequency, printed circuit board design, reliability, structures, supply chain, and manufacturing leaders to drive full-scope product delivery.
Own organizational planning inputs, including resourcing, schedule commitments, supplier and contract manufacturer strategy, and make-versus-buy decisions.
Build a culture of ownership, technical rigor, and accountability.

Salary Range: 265000 to 398000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

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.

Shield AI is looking for a Director of Avionics Mechanical Engineering to build and lead the organization responsible for all mechanical, thermal, and harnessing (EWIS) design for the X-BAT aircraft and ground equipment. You'll set the technical strategy and organizational structure, develop managers and technical leads, and be accountable for delivering flight-critical electro-mechanical hardware from concept through production. As a senior member of the avionics leadership team, you'll partner with engineering, program, and operations leaders to shape architecture, schedule, and resourcing decisions. Leaders at Shield are expected to have strong technical fundamentals and a real history of hands-on design.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Own the technical vision, strategy, and roadmap for mechanical, thermal, and EWIS engineering across X-BAT flight and ground avionics

Build and scale a multi-team organization: hire and develop managers and technical leads, define org structure, and plan headcount to meet near- and long-term program goals

Be accountable for your organization's delivery of complex electro-mechanical hardware that survives harsh environments, from architecture through qualification and production

Set engineering standards, design review practices, and processes for thermal, mechanical, and harness design of flight-critical avionics

Serve as the final technical authority on key mechanical and thermal architecture tradeoffs, and escalate risk to program leadership with clear recommendations

Partner with electrical engineering, RF, PCB design, reliability, structures, supply chain, and manufacturing leaders to drive full-scope product delivery

Own organizational planning inputs, including resourcing, schedule commitments, supplier and contract manufacturer strategy, and make-vs-buy decisions

Build a culture of extreme ownership, technical rigor, and accountability

You won't design as an individual contributor. You must have done that work earlier in your career so you can establish what "right" looks like across the organization.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

15+ years of experience in mechanical design around electronics and electrical systems, including significant early-career, hands-on design of enclosures, thermal solutions, and harness integration

5+ years of people leadership, including managing managers or leading multiple engineering teams

Proven record of building and scaling engineering teams through rapid growth

Record of delivering complex avionics or electro-mechanical hardware from concept through production

Deep technical fluency in avionics packaging, FEA, thermal analysis, and fatigue and lifecycle testing

Experience setting engineering strategy, standards, and processes across an organization

Experience managing relationships with fabrication shops, contract manufacturers, and key suppliers

Ability to operate in a fast-paced, agile environment with shifting priorities

A demonstrated record of working hard, being trustworthy, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others

Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience leading hardware teams on aircraft, spacecraft, launch vehicles, or defense platforms

Background in high-rate hardware production, such as satellites, EV power electronics, or autonomous vehicles

Experience with DO-160, MIL-STD-810, or similar environmental qualification standards

Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or equivalent Engineering

Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

About the Company

Shield AI

Builds autonomous aircraft for defense

Shield AI builds autonomous aircraft and flight software for military and allied defense customers, with a focus on operations where conventional remote control breaks down. Its Hivemind AI pilot handles decisions during a mission, while the V-BAT aircraft gathers intelligence and locates targets. Aircraft makers use its software tools to develop and test their own autonomy, and its Aechelon business supplies visual and sensor simulation for pilot training. The company earns money from aircraft sales, autonomy software and contracted engineering and operational services. Shield AI was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Company size: 1,001-5,000
Company stage: Series H
Total funding: $4.8B
Headquarters: San Diego, CA
Founded: 2015

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