Lead mass properties analysis for autonomous aircraft across design, prototyping, and production. Estimate and verify weight, center of gravity, and inertia; develop analysis tools; maintain reports and databases; execute verification tests; and support system trade studies. Collaborate with aerodynamics, structures, avionics, propulsion, and manufacturing teams to control mass properties and ensure compliance throughout development.
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 Mass Properties Engineer for Ranger, you will play a critical role in the development and optimization of autonomous aircraft systems, ensuring precise mass properties tracking and analysis throughout the product lifecycle. Your expertise will support aircraft performance trade studies, loads development, structural analysis, cost analysis, and mission effectiveness evaluations. This role is essential in driving the success of Shield AI’s next-gen autonomous vehicles, ensuring they meet stringent weight, balance, and efficiency requirements.
What you'll do:
- Lead and participate in system-level trade studies to optimize payload, propulsion, power distribution, thermal management, and flight dynamics.
- Conduct mass properties estimation for early-stage designs, prototyping, and full-scale production.
- Estimate, calculate, and verify weight, center of gravity, and inertia properties for components, assemblies, and complete aircraft systems.
- Develop and refine analysis tools and methods for mass properties estimation and optimization.
- Generate and maintain mass properties reports for engineering, manufacturing, and leadership teams.
- Implement and execute mass properties verification tests to validate design assumptions.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including aerodynamics, structures, avionics, propulsion, and manufacturing to ensure mass properties are controlled throughout development.
- Maintain and update the mass properties database to track weight trends across vehicle programs.
Required qualifications:
- B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Science/Engineering, or related field.
- 3+ years of experience in mass properties analysis within aerospace, defense, or high-tech vehicle development.
- Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, Siemens NX, or similar).
- Familiarity with mass properties industry standards (ATA100, SAWE RP A-7, RP 7, RP 8, or predecessors).
- Experience defining mass properties requirements and ensuring compliance across design iterations.
- Experience developing and maintaining a Mass Properties Management and Control Plan.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
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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.
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