Staff Engineer, Mechanical - Harness Design

TLDR

Lead the design and development of wire harnesses and cable assemblies critical to the success of a next-generation autonomous UAV platform.

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 redefining autonomous aviation with cutting-edge AI and GPS/RF-denied navigation technologies. Now, we’re building a next-generation aircraft like no other—one that will push the boundaries of innovation and performance. We are looking for an Engineer II, Electromechanical Engineering to join our avionics hardware team. In this role, you’ll support the design and integration of avionics systems, working closely with senior engineers to bring designs from concept through production and test. This is a great opportunity for an early-career engineer who is eager to learn, take ownership, and grow in a fast-paced aerospace environment. What you'll do:
  • Lead design of wire harnesses and cable assemblies for autonomous UAVs 
  • Own harness design process: concept, 3D CAD routing, analysis, and drawing release 
  • Perform electrical and environmental analysis for harness reliability 
  • Prototype and test harnesses in dynamic, mission-critical environments 
  • Collaborate with avionics, systems, and manufacturing teams for integration 
  • Mentor engineers and drive harness design best practices 
  • Required qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering 
  • 8+ years in wire harness design for aerospace or robotics 
  • Strong CAD skills (NX or CATIA preferred) for 3D harness modeling 
  • Experience using EWIS design software (Zuken, Capital, etc) 
  • Expertise in GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and IPC/WHMA-A-620 standards 
  • Experience with electrical schematics and connector selection 
  • Hands-on experience with harness fabrication or testing 
  • Ability to work independently and lead in fast-paced, cross-functional teams  
  • A demonstrated record of working hard, being trustworthy, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others 
  • Preferred qualifications:
  • Experience designing harnesses for UAVs, aircraft, or spacecraft 
  • Familiarity with EWIS compliance and RTCA DO-160 testing 
  • Proficiency in failure mode analysis (FMEA) and root cause investigations 
  • Knowledge of Teamcenter or similar PLM systems
  • #LI-MS2
    #LD

    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. 

    Shield AI builds advanced AI-powered autonomy systems for military and defense applications, enabling mission-critical operations in contested environments. Our platform, Hivemind, supports developers and operators with robust tools for quick adaptation and deployment, ensuring superior situational awareness and operational efficiency. With unique solutions like the AI-piloted X-BAT and ViDAR surveillance system, we are transforming how defense technology meets real-world challenges.

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    Salary
    $136,730 – $205,096 per year
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