Principal Structural Analyst (R3263)

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:
Shield AI is seeking a Principal Structural Analyst to provide technical leadership for the structural analysis and validation of advanced UAV platforms. In this role, you will serve as a subject-matter expert for airframe structures, guiding analysis strategy, mentoring engineers, and ensuring structural integrity across the full aircraft lifecycle—from concept through flight test and production.

This role is ideal for engineers with 15+ years of experience who have led complex aerospace programs and are comfortable owning structural analysis direction, influencing design tradeoffs, and partnering closely with program and engineering leadership.

What you'll do::
• Lead structural analysis strategy for UAV airframes, major substructures, and critical components.
• Define and review finite element modeling approaches, assumptions, load cases, and margins.
• Perform and oversee static, modal, fatigue, vibration, and damage-tolerance analyses.
• Establish best practices for hand calculations, correlation methods, and model validation.
• Drive structural optimization across performance, weight, cost, and manufacturability.
• Own structural test strategy, including defining requirements, overseeing execution, and correlating results to analysis.
• Review and approve structural analysis deliverables, test reports, and certification artifacts.
• Mentor and technically guide senior and early-career structural analysts.
• Partner with cross-functional leads to balance structural requirements with system-level performance goals.
• Influence long-term architecture, materials selection, and structural design standards.

Required qualifications::
• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 12+ years of experience in structural analysis, aircraft structures, or aerospace systems.
• Deep expertise with FEA tools (ANSYS, NASTRAN, HyperWorks, or similar).
• Advanced proficiency in hand calculations for strength, stability, fatigue, and damage tolerance.
• Extensive experience with composite and lightweight aerospace structures.
• Strong background in structural testing, correlation, and certification support.
• Ability to operate as a technical authority and make high-impact engineering tradeoffs.
• Excellent communication skills and experience presenting to senior technical leadership.

Preferred qualifications::
• Master’s or Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Prior experience as a technical lead or subject-matter expert on aircraft or UAV programs.
• Hands-on involvement in flight test support and structural certification efforts.
• Experience defining organizational analysis standards and methodologies.
• Familiarity with CAD, PLM, and enterprise engineering toolchains.

#LI-MS2
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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.