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)
