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 Loads Engineer to serve as the technical authority for aircraft loads and aeroelastic analysis across advanced UAV platforms. In this role, you will define and lead the full-vehicle loads strategy—establishing the methodologies, assumptions, and validation approaches that govern structural sizing, aeroelastic stability, airworthiness, and flight performance.
You will operate as a subject-matter expert in aerodynamic and structural loads derivation, influencing aircraft architecture and control strategies while ensuring loads traceability from concept through flight test and certification. This role is ideal for engineers with 12–15+ years of experience who have led loads development on complex aerospace programs and are comfortable setting technical direction, mentoring engineers, and partnering closely with program and engineering leadership.
What you'll do:
Own and define the full-vehicle loads and aeroelastic analysis strategy from clean-sheet development through production and flight test
Establish and govern aerodynamic and structural load envelopes, including maneuver, gust, landing, ground, and mission-driven load cases
Lead both quasi-static and dynamic loads analyses, including transient and coupled aeroelastic assessments
Serve as the technical authority for V-n diagrams, load factors, and structural load path definition across the aircraft
Define and review loads modeling approaches using NASTRAN, FEMAP, MATLAB, Simulink, Python, or equivalent environments
Drive aeroelastic stability evaluations including divergence, flutter, control reversal, and load alleviation strategies
Partner closely with Aero and GNC teams to ensure loads assumptions align with flight control laws, mission profiles, and aircraft performance objectives
Establish traceability standards across loads models, ICDs, FEA inputs, and certification artifacts
Define and oversee loads correlation strategy, including strain gauge placement, instrumentation planning, and in-flight data reconciliation
Review and approve loads deliverables for design reviews, compliance documentation, and executive technical decision forums
Mentor and technically guide loads and aeroelastic engineers across the organization
Develop and standardize loads methodologies, automation frameworks, and internal tools to scale capability across programs
Required qualifications:
B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
12+ years of experience performing aircraft loads and aeroelastic analysis on manned or unmanned platforms
Demonstrated technical leadership on complex aerospace programs, including ownership of loads strategy or methodology
Deep expertise in aerodynamic loads derivation, flight envelope development, and structural load path definition
Advanced proficiency with industry-standard loads and FEA tools (NASTRAN, FEMAP, ANSYS, MATLAB, Python, Simulink, or equivalent)
Strong understanding of aeroelastic stability phenomena including flutter, divergence, and control reversal
Extensive experience supporting both structural design and flight test with validated load predictions
Experience presenting loads rationale and technical tradeoffs to senior engineering leadership
Excellent cross-functional collaboration and technical communication skills
Preferred qualifications:
Master’s or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or related discipline
Experience on UAV, eVTOL, or tactical military aircraft programs
Familiarity with MIL-A-8860, FAR Part 23/25, or other certification loads standards
Experience developing load alleviation strategies or adaptive control-informed loads methodologies
Track record of building internal tools, automation pipelines, or standardized loads frameworks
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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.
