Shield AI

Senior Engineer, Sustaining (R6024)

Shield AI • $110K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
  • 5+ years of relevant experience for Senior Engineer or 8+ years for Staff Engineer
  • Experience in supporting production, sustaining engineering, and complex hardware troubleshooting
  • Proven ability to lead technical investigations and implement corrective actions
  • Proficiency in 3D CAD, engineering drawings, GD&T, and mechanical design for manufacturing
  • Strong skills in technical writing, documentation, and cross-functional communication

Responsibilities

  • Lead resolution of mechanical issues from production to fielded aircraft
  • Provide hands-on engineering support during aircraft builds and testing
  • Establish immediate containment actions and drive issues to resolution
  • Conduct structured investigations using fault trees and failure analysis
  • Coordinate cross-functional investigations involving multiple departments
  • Review and resolve deviations, nonconformances, and production inquiries
  • Update CAD models, drawings, and specifications; implement design changes
  • Document investigation results and integrate lessons learned into future processes

Benefits

  • Bonus opportunities
  • Equity options
  • Comprehensive benefits package after 60 days for temporary employees
  • Regular employee benefits package upon full-time employment
  • Supportive work environment for professional growth and development
Full Job Description


Job Description:

We are seeking a Senior or Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead the resolution of mechanical issues affecting V-BAT production, testing, and fielded aircraft. This role will support urgent hardware problems while driving investigations through root cause, permanent corrective action, and verification.

The ideal candidate is comfortable troubleshooting hardware, leading cross-functional investigations, updating designs and drawings, and documenting solutions through release and implementation. This role is focused primarily on sustaining engineering rather than new-product design.

What you'll do:

  • Lead the resolution of mechanical issues arising from production, testing, fielded aircraft, and customer operations.
  • Provide hands-on engineering support during aircraft builds, integration, testing, and troubleshooting.
  • Establish immediate containment actions while driving issues through root cause and permanent corrective action.
  • Lead structured investigations using fault trees, 5 Whys, failure analysis, and test-based troubleshooting.
  • Coordinate investigations across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Test, and Field Operations.
  • Review and disposition deviations, nonconformances, and production questions.
  • Determine when issues require changes to designs, drawings, processes, inspections, or supplier controls.
  • Update CAD models, drawings, specifications, and bills of material, and drive changes through release and implementation.
  • Document investigation results, track recurring issues, and incorporate lessons learned into future designs and processes.


Required qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of relevant experience for Senior Engineer or 8+ years for Staff Engineer.
  • Experience supporting production, sustaining engineering, fielded products, or complex hardware troubleshooting.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead technical investigations through verified corrective action.
  • Proficiency with 3D CAD, engineering drawings, GD&T, and mechanical design for manufacturing.
  • Strong technical writing, documentation, and cross-functional communication skills.


#LI-SP1

#LC

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.

About Shield AI

Shield AI is a defense technology company that develops artificially intelligent systems for military applications. The company was founded in 2015 by Brandon Tseng, Ryan Tseng, and Andrew Reiter, and is headquartered in San Diego, California. Shield AI's products include autonomous drones and software that can be used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and other military operations. The company's mission is to reduce the number of military casualties by providing soldiers with better intelligence and situational awareness. Shield AI has received funding from a number of investors, including Andreessen Horowitz and Founders Fund.
Learn more about Shield AI
Size
200 employees
Industry
Founded
2015

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Shield AI

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Senior Engineer, Sustaining (R6024) jobs: