Designs and integrates aircraft mechanical systems and components, including installation layouts, subsystem routing, CAD assemblies, engineering drawings, BOMs, and product releases. Applies GD&T, tolerance analysis, and structural calculations while supporting prototype builds, production integration, and issue resolution. Collaborates with avionics, manufacturing, systems engineering, stress, quality, supply chain, and test teams to deliver manufacturable, maintainable, and reliable aerospace hardware.
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.
As a Systems Integration Engineer, you will independently own the design, installation, and integration of aircraft systems and components while supporting the development of complete subsystem installations. You will collaborate across engineering disciplines to deliver manufacturable, maintainable, and reliable aircraft hardware.
The ideal candidate has demonstrated experience designing aircraft hardware and installation solutions and enjoys solving multidisciplinary integration challenges involving structures, avionics, propulsion, manufacturing, and production.
What you'll do:
- Independently design machined, fabricated, composite, and sheet metal components for aircraft applications.
- Develop aircraft installation layouts that optimize packaging, accessibility, serviceability, manufacturability, and weight.
- Design routing paths for EWIS, hydraulic, fuel, pneumatic, and ECS systems while coordinating interfaces with adjacent aircraft structures and subsystems.
- Develop detailed engineering drawings, installation drawings, and assembly documentation in accordance with company drafting standards.
- Maintain CAD assemblies, product structures, BOMs, and engineering releases within PLM systems.
- Apply GD&T and tolerance stack-up analyses to ensure manufacturable and interchangeable designs.
- Support prototype aircraft builds, production integration, and manufacturing issue resolution.
- Investigate installation and integration issues through structured root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate avionics and other system components seamlessly within the aircraft
- Perform engineering calculations to support design decisions and evaluate structural adequacy.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
- 3+ years of professional experience designing and integrating mechanical systems for aircraft, aerospace, defense, robotics, automotive, or other complex electromechanical products.
- Demonstrated experience designing machined, fabricated, composite, and sheet metal components from concept through production release.
- Proficiency developing complex 3D CAD models, large assemblies, installation layouts, and detailed engineering drawings using NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, or equivalent CAD software.
- Experience managing engineering data, product structures, Bills of Material (BOMs), and drawing releases using PLM systems such as Teamcenter, Windchill, or 3DEXPERIENCE.
- Working knowledge of aircraft installation practices, subsystem packaging, interface management, equipment mounting, and maintainability considerations.
- Experience developing installation layouts and routing solutions for EWIS, hydraulic, fuel, pneumatic, ECS, or similar mechanical systems.
- Working knowledge of GD&T in accordance with ASME Y14.5 and experience performing tolerance stack-up analyses.
- Experience supporting prototype builds, manufacturing, aircraft assembly, installation, and production issue resolution.
- Ability to investigate integration issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement effective corrective actions.
- Experience collaborating with Manufacturing, Systems Engineering, Stress, Avionics, Supply Chain, Quality, and Test Engineering organizations throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously.
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience integrating aircraft subsystems on unmanned aircrafts, fixed wing, eVTOL, or other aerospace platforms.
- Experience leading mechanical work packages or owning subsystem-level hardware from concept through production.
- Experience performing structural hand calculations, free-body diagrams, load path evaluations, or preliminary stress analyses to support mechanical design decisions.
- Experience performing finite element analysis (FEA), including static, modal, vibration, fatigue, or thermal analyses.
- Hands-on experience supporting build, production, testing, or hardware validation activities.
- Familiarity with aircraft configuration management, engineering change processes, and formal product release workflows.
- Experience coordinating engineering activities with suppliers, manufacturing partners, or external engineering organizations.
- Familiarity with FAA, DoD, MIL-STD, or commercial aerospace design standards.
- Experience mentoring interns or early-career engineers and reviewing engineering documentation for technical accuracy.
#LI-AD6
#LB
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.
###
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.
Similar Jobs at Shield AI
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software • Defense Technology
Leads integrated execution of a U.S. Air Force aircraft development program from concept development through integration, flight testing, demonstration, and production readiness. Coordinates engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, government stakeholders, and industry partners while managing schedules, budgets, risks, technical dependencies, customer commitments, affordability, and production transition. Provides executive visibility and drives resolution of critical-path issues across aircraft, propulsion, avionics, autonomy, mission systems, and ground systems.
Top Skills:
Aircraft SystemsAirworthiness SystemsAutonomy SoftwareAvionicsFlight ControlsFlight TestingGround Control SystemsMission SystemsModular Open SystemsPropulsion Systems
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software • Defense Technology
Leads mechanical integration of aircraft subsystems from concept through production, including installation architecture, equipment packaging, routing, interface definition, drawings, tolerance analyses, and manufacturing support. Coordinates multidisciplinary teams, suppliers, prototype builds, and production issue resolution. Designs complex machined, composite, fabricated, and sheet-metal assemblies; supports technical planning and risk management; and mentors junior engineers in CAD, GD&T, installation design, and engineering practices.
Top Skills:
3DexperienceAsme Y14.5BomsCadCatiaCreoEcsEwisFeaFuel SystemsGd&THydraulic SystemsNxPlm SystemsPneumatic SystemsSolidworksTeamcenterWindchill
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software
Leads the mechanical, thermal, and EWIS engineering organization for X-BAT aircraft and ground avionics. Sets technical strategy, architecture, standards, and processes; builds and scales engineering teams; oversees flight-critical hardware from concept through production; manages suppliers and contract manufacturers; and partners across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and program leadership. Requires extensive hands-on mechanical design experience, senior people leadership, avionics expertise, and the ability to obtain a Secret clearance.
Top Skills:
AvionicsDo-160Electro-Mechanical HardwareEwisFatigue TestingFeaLifecycle TestingMil-Std-810Thermal Analysis
What you need to know about the Seattle Tech Scene
Home to tech titans like Microsoft and Amazon, Seattle punches far above its weight in innovation. But its surrounding mountains, sprinkled with world-famous hiking trails and climbing routes, make the city a destination for outdoorsy types as well. Established as a logging town before shifting to shipbuilding and logistics, the Emerald City is now known for its contributions to aerospace, software, biotech and cloud computing. And its status as a thriving tech ecosystem is attracting out-of-town companies looking to establish new tech and engineering hubs.
Key Facts About Seattle Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 287,000; 13% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, software, biotechnology, game development
- Funding Landscape: $3.1 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Madrona, Fuse, Tola, Maveron
- Research Centers and Universities: University of Washington, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, Allen Institute for Brain Science, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle Children’s Research Institute

