Leads aircraft structural and aerodynamic loads analysis across design and flight-test phases. Develops load envelopes, maneuver, gust, landing, ground, and dynamic load cases; performs aeroelastic stability assessments; validates models using simulation tools; supports structural sizing, instrumentation, and flight-data correlation; and maintains traceability across requirements, FEA models, and technical documentation. Collaborates with aero, structures, GNC, and test engineering teams on aircraft airworthiness and performance.
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.
Job Description:
As a Staff Loads Engineer, you will lead the generation and analysis of structural and aerodynamic load cases that define the mechanical environment for the next-gen air vehicle. You’ll play a key role in shaping how loads flow through the aircraft structure—supporting structural sizing, airworthiness, aeroelastic stability, and flight performance.
This is a highly cross-functional role requiring deep technical knowledge of aeroelastic theory, loads derivation, and flight vehicle behavior. You’ll collaborate closely with structural design, aero, GNC, and test engineering teams to ensure load paths are accurate, traceable, and validated through test or simulation.
What you'll do:
- Own the development of aerodynamic and structural load envelopes for the full vehicle, from clean-sheet through flight test
- Lead maneuver, gust, landing, and ground loads analyses, including both quasi-static and dynamic cases
- Coordinate closely with GNC, aero, and structural teams to define load cases tied to mission profiles and flight control behaviors
- Develop and validate loads models using tools like NASTRAN, FEMAP, MATLAB, or custom Python/Simulink scripts
- Support the sizing and analysis of critical structural components through detailed load maps and V-n diagrams
- Conduct aeroelastic stability assessments, including divergence and control reversal checks
- Lead traceability of loads inputs/outputs across ICDs, FEA models, and design justification documents
- Interface with test engineering to support strain gauge placement, instrumentation plans, and correlation of in-flight data
- Author and present loads documentation for reviews, compliance, and technical buy-in
- Support the long-term refinement of loads methodologies and automation across the aerostructures team
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- 8+ years experience performing loads and aeroelastic analysis for aircraft (manned or unmanned)
- Proficiency with loads modeling tools such as FEMAP, NASTRAN, MATLAB, or other relevant simulation environments
- Strong understanding of aircraft flight envelopes, control surface effects, and structural load paths
- Demonstrated experience supporting both design and test phases with accurate load predictions
- Excellent documentation, cross-functional collaboration, and communication skills
- Ability to get a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience on UAV, eVTOL, or tactical military platforms
- Familiarity with MIL-A-8860, FAR Part 23/25 loads regulations, or similar certification standards
- Knowledge of aeroelastic stability, load alleviation, and adaptive control
- Experience developing internal tools or automation for loads generation and reporting
- Active or previous DoD clearance (not required)
#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.
###
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 program managers delivering and sustaining unmanned aerial vehicle programs across Europe and Africa. Oversees customer relationships, contracts, budgets, schedules, risks, resources, reporting, process improvement, and cross-functional execution. Builds and develops the international program management team, drives accountability and execution excellence, manages escalations, and ensures programs meet cost, schedule, scope, and technical objectives.
Top Skills:
Microsoft Office SuiteMicrosoft ProjectSmartsheetUnmanned Aerial Vehicles (Uavs)
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software • Defense Technology
Leads internal communications for enterprise priorities, organizational change, M&A integrations, organizational updates, and People programs. Develops employee messaging, FAQs, presentations, manager toolkits, intranet content, and leadership communications. Manages communication plans, timelines, stakeholders, approvals, and multiple workstreams while anticipating employee concerns, synthesizing feedback, and advising leaders on communication risks and solutions.
Top Skills:
ExcelMicrosoft 365PowerPointSharepointTeamsWord
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software • Defense Technology
Supports avionics and electrical engineering development for the V-BAT aircraft. Performs benchtop testing, designs basic test fixtures, fabricates wire harnesses, interprets schematics, reworks circuit boards, and contributes across design, verification, procurement, manufacturing, and testing. Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams while owning project outcomes and maintaining high standards.
Top Skills:
0402 ComponentsAvionicsCircuit BoardsElectrical Engineering Lab EquipmentElectronic LoadMultimeterOscilloscopeSchematicsTest FixturesThermal ChamberWire Harnesses
What you need to know about the San Francisco Tech Scene
San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area attracts more startup funding than any other region in the world. Home to Stanford University and UC Berkeley, leading VC firms and several of the world’s most valuable companies, the Bay Area is the place to go for anyone looking to make it big in the tech industry. That said, San Francisco has a lot to offer beyond technology thanks to a thriving art and music scene, excellent food and a short drive to several of the country’s most beautiful recreational areas.
Key Facts About San Francisco Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 365,500; 13.9% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Google, Apple, Salesforce, Meta
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, consumer technology, software
- Funding Landscape: $50.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins
- Research Centers and Universities: Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of San Francisco; Santa Clara University; Ames Research Center; Center for AI Safety; California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
