Mechanical Engineer Jobs at Shield AI with Visa Sponsorship
Mechanical Engineer roles at Shield AI sit at the intersection of autonomous systems and defense-grade hardware, covering everything from airframe structures to thermal and propulsion subsystems. Shield AI actively sponsors work visas for engineering talent, making it a viable path for international candidates with the right technical background.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Shield AI is seeking a Senior Structural Design Engineer to support the development of structural components for our next-generation autonomous aircraft. As a key contributor on the Mechanical Engineering team, you will design and develop high-performance structural hardware from concept through production release. You’ll work cross-functionally to ensure structural integrity, manufacturability, and system integration across one of the most advanced autonomous aircraft platforms being built today.
What you'll do:
- Design and develop structural components and assemblies for Shield AI’s next-generation UAV platform, supporting both primary and secondary aircraft structures.
- Execute the structural design lifecycle including concept development, CAD modeling, detail design, and drawing release.
- Perform linear structural and stress analysis using FEA tools under defined loading conditions, with guidance from senior engineers as needed.
- Collaborate closely with aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, payload, and manufacturing teams to support system integration across airframe interfaces.
- Contribute to material selection decisions, including composites and metallic structures, aligned to performance and manufacturability goals.
- Support structural validation efforts including coupon testing, subcomponent testing, and system-level verification.
- Generate high-quality design documentation, drawings, interface definitions, and analysis reports in compliance with aerospace standards.
- Partner with manufacturing and flight test teams to resolve build issues and support hardware through test and deployment.
- Participate in design reviews and technical discussions, presenting work clearly and incorporating feedback effectively.
- Continuously improve personal technical depth in structural layout, joints, tolerancing, and structural optimization.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
- 4–5+ years of experience in aircraft structural design or closely related aerospace structures.
- Experience designing and releasing structural components in development or production environments.
- Working knowledge of composite and metallic structures, including fasteners, bonded joints, and load paths.
- Proficiency in CAD tools (NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, or similar).
- Experience using FEA tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, or similar) for linear structural analysis.
- Understanding of GD&T, tolerance stackups, and DFMA principles.
- Strong written and verbal technical communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to operate in fast-paced, high-ownership engineering environments.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- M.S. degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
- Experience supporting UAV, DoD, or aerospace vehicle programs.
- Familiarity with aerospace standards (MIL-STD, ASME Y14.5, FAA).
- Experience supporting hardware through test, failure analysis, and design iteration.
- Exposure to composite design and manufacturing methods.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $112,439 - $168,659 a year
- 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. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
INTRODUCTION
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Shield AI is seeking a Senior Structural Design Engineer to support the development of structural components for our next-generation autonomous aircraft. As a key contributor on the Mechanical Engineering team, you will design and develop high-performance structural hardware from concept through production release. You’ll work cross-functionally to ensure structural integrity, manufacturability, and system integration across one of the most advanced autonomous aircraft platforms being built today.
What you'll do:
- Design and develop structural components and assemblies for Shield AI’s next-generation UAV platform, supporting both primary and secondary aircraft structures.
- Execute the structural design lifecycle including concept development, CAD modeling, detail design, and drawing release.
- Perform linear structural and stress analysis using FEA tools under defined loading conditions, with guidance from senior engineers as needed.
- Collaborate closely with aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, payload, and manufacturing teams to support system integration across airframe interfaces.
- Contribute to material selection decisions, including composites and metallic structures, aligned to performance and manufacturability goals.
- Support structural validation efforts including coupon testing, subcomponent testing, and system-level verification.
- Generate high-quality design documentation, drawings, interface definitions, and analysis reports in compliance with aerospace standards.
- Partner with manufacturing and flight test teams to resolve build issues and support hardware through test and deployment.
- Participate in design reviews and technical discussions, presenting work clearly and incorporating feedback effectively.
- Continuously improve personal technical depth in structural layout, joints, tolerancing, and structural optimization.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
- 4–5+ years of experience in aircraft structural design or closely related aerospace structures.
- Experience designing and releasing structural components in development or production environments.
- Working knowledge of composite and metallic structures, including fasteners, bonded joints, and load paths.
- Proficiency in CAD tools (NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, or similar).
- Experience using FEA tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, or similar) for linear structural analysis.
- Understanding of GD&T, tolerance stackups, and DFMA principles.
- Strong written and verbal technical communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to operate in fast-paced, high-ownership engineering environments.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- M.S. degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
- Experience supporting UAV, DoD, or aerospace vehicle programs.
- Familiarity with aerospace standards (MIL-STD, ASME Y14.5, FAA).
- Experience supporting hardware through test, failure analysis, and design iteration.
- Exposure to composite design and manufacturing methods.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $112,439 - $168,659 a year
- 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. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
See all 44+ Mechanical Engineer at Shield AI jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Mechanical Engineer Jobs at Shield AI Jobs
Tailor your resume to defense specifications
Shield AI's mechanical engineering roles emphasize systems integration, structural analysis, and hardware validation for autonomous aircraft. Highlight experience with GD&T, FEA tools like ANSYS or Nastran, and any work on unmanned or autonomous platforms to clear their technical screening.
Verify your security clearance eligibility early
Many Shield AI mechanical engineering positions require or prefer a DoD security clearance. F-1 OPT and TN holders are generally not eligible. Clarify clearance requirements in the job posting before applying so you don't invest time in a role you cannot legally hold.
Align your OPT start date with Shield AI's hiring cycles
Shield AI recruits mechanical engineers year-round, but hardware roles often have longer onboarding timelines. Activate F-1 OPT within your 60-day grace window and coordinate your start date so it overlaps cleanly with their offer and security vetting process.
Understand how TN status applies to your role
Canadian and Mexican nationals can pursue TN status for mechanical engineering roles, which USCIS and CBP classify under the engineering category. Confirm your degree is in mechanical engineering or a directly related field, since adjacent disciplines like aerospace engineering require careful documentation at the port of entry.
Use Migrate Mate to identify Shield AI's open mechanical engineering roles
Shield AI posts across multiple subsystems and product lines, so open roles can vary widely in scope. Use Migrate Mate to filter Shield AI's current mechanical engineering openings by visa sponsorship type and find positions that match your discipline and clearance status.
Prepare for PERM's prevailing wage requirements before negotiating
If Shield AI files an EB-2 or EB-3 green card petition for you, DOL's PERM process requires your offered salary to meet the prevailing wage for your role and location. Research DOL wage data for aerospace mechanical engineers in San Diego before your offer conversation.
Mechanical Engineer at Shield AI jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Mechanical Engineer at Shield AI JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does Shield AI sponsor H-1B visas for Mechanical Engineers?
Shield AI's publicly documented sponsorship activity for mechanical engineers is concentrated in employment-based Green Card categories (EB-2 and EB-3) rather than H-1B transfers. That said, many defense contractors do support H-1B filings for engineering talent. Because H-1B is cap-subject with an annual lottery, Shield AI tends to be a stronger option for candidates already holding valid work authorization through F-1 OPT, TN, or J-1 status.
Which visa types are commonly used for Mechanical Engineer roles at Shield AI?
Shield AI sponsors F-1 OPT and CPT for students and recent graduates, J-1 for exchange visitors, and TN status for Canadian and Mexican nationals with mechanical engineering degrees. For longer-term sponsorship, the company has filed EB-2 and EB-3 Green Card petitions for engineering roles, which go through DOL's PERM labor certification process before USCIS adjudicates the immigrant petition.
What qualifications and experience does Shield AI expect for Mechanical Engineer roles?
Shield AI's mechanical engineering job postings typically require a bachelor's or master's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, along with hands-on experience in structural analysis, thermal management, or hardware integration for aerospace or defense platforms. Proficiency in CAD software (Solidworks, CATIA, or similar) and FEA tools is common. Roles supporting autonomous aircraft often list experience with embedded hardware or systems-level integration as a differentiator.
How do I apply for Mechanical Engineer jobs at Shield AI?
You can browse Shield AI's current mechanical engineering openings directly on their careers page or through Migrate Mate, which filters roles by visa sponsorship type so you can identify which positions align with your authorization. Before applying, confirm whether the role lists a security clearance requirement, since many defense-focused positions at Shield AI require U.S. person status that limits eligibility for certain visa holders.
How long does visa sponsorship processing take for a Shield AI mechanical engineering offer?
Timeline depends heavily on visa type. F-1 OPT authorization takes roughly 90 days to process through your university's DSO, so apply early. TN status for Canadians can be obtained at a port of entry the same day. EB-2 and EB-3 Green Card sponsorship through PERM involves DOL prevailing wage determination (several months), PERM audit risk, and USCIS petition processing, meaning the full green card timeline can extend beyond two years for applicants from high-demand countries.
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