TN Visa Senior Staff Engineer Jobs
Senior Staff Engineer roles qualify for TN visa sponsorship under the USMCA's Engineer category, covering disciplines from software to systems and electrical engineering. Canadian citizens can enter at the port of entry the same day an employer confirms the offer. Mexican citizens require a consular appointment. No lottery, no cap for Canadians.
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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.
Are you a passionate and innovative product design engineer looking to help develop state of the art AI and aircraft products? Are you eager to make a positive difference in the world? Do you want to work alongside mission driven and values focused teammates? Shield AI is just the place for you!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Mechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for contributing to the mechanical design and development of Shield AI's autonomous UAV products. You will help architect new products, perform the detailed design of complex electro-mechanical assemblies, and will use best in class design and analysis tools. You will collaborate closely with internal and/or external partners to prototype, test and release products to production. You will also help ensure product features achieve performance, schedule and reliability goals.
What you'll do:
- Design complex mechanical mechanisms for autonomous aircraft
- Own the full design process: concept, CAD, tolerance analysis, material selection, and drawing release
- Perform structural and kinematic calculations and preliminary FEA
- Prototype, test, and iterate mechanism designs for functionality and reliability
- Collaborate with electrical, avionics, flight controls, and propulsion teams
- Mentor junior engineers and promote engineering excellence
- Support pre-production builds, prototype integration, and ground/flight testing
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering
- 8+ years in mechanical or mechanism design
- Strong CAD skills (NX preferred)
- Kinematic analysis and optimization
- Structural analysis utilizing hand calculations and finite element methods
- FEA analysis: Modal, non-linear and linear, buckling, fatigue
- GD&T and tolerance stack-ups for mechanical systems
- Materials selection inclusive of alloys, heat treatments, allowables, and finishes
- Ability to work independently and lead in fast-paced, cross-functional teams
- A demonstrated record of working hard, being trustworthy, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with UAVs, aircraft, or robotic systems
- Familiarity with hydraulic and electro-mechanical actuators
- Proficiency in FMEA, DOE, and root cause analysis
- Hands-on machine shop or mechanic experience (professional or hobby)
- RTCA DO-160, MIL-STD-810, structural or actuated mechanism testing experience
- Ability to thrive in startup, R&D, or defense innovation environments
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $160,000 - $240,000 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.
Are you a passionate and innovative product design engineer looking to help develop state of the art AI and aircraft products? Are you eager to make a positive difference in the world? Do you want to work alongside mission driven and values focused teammates? Shield AI is just the place for you!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Mechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for contributing to the mechanical design and development of Shield AI's autonomous UAV products. You will help architect new products, perform the detailed design of complex electro-mechanical assemblies, and will use best in class design and analysis tools. You will collaborate closely with internal and/or external partners to prototype, test and release products to production. You will also help ensure product features achieve performance, schedule and reliability goals.
What you'll do:
- Design complex mechanical mechanisms for autonomous aircraft
- Own the full design process: concept, CAD, tolerance analysis, material selection, and drawing release
- Perform structural and kinematic calculations and preliminary FEA
- Prototype, test, and iterate mechanism designs for functionality and reliability
- Collaborate with electrical, avionics, flight controls, and propulsion teams
- Mentor junior engineers and promote engineering excellence
- Support pre-production builds, prototype integration, and ground/flight testing
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering
- 8+ years in mechanical or mechanism design
- Strong CAD skills (NX preferred)
- Kinematic analysis and optimization
- Structural analysis utilizing hand calculations and finite element methods
- FEA analysis: Modal, non-linear and linear, buckling, fatigue
- GD&T and tolerance stack-ups for mechanical systems
- Materials selection inclusive of alloys, heat treatments, allowables, and finishes
- Ability to work independently and lead in fast-paced, cross-functional teams
- A demonstrated record of working hard, being trustworthy, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with UAVs, aircraft, or robotic systems
- Familiarity with hydraulic and electro-mechanical actuators
- Proficiency in FMEA, DOE, and root cause analysis
- Hands-on machine shop or mechanic experience (professional or hobby)
- RTCA DO-160, MIL-STD-810, structural or actuated mechanism testing experience
- Ability to thrive in startup, R&D, or defense innovation environments
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $160,000 - $240,000 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 626+ Senior Staff Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Senior Staff Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding TN Visa Sponsorship as a Senior Staff Engineer
Align your credentials to TN engineer categories
TN approval hinges on degree-to-role alignment. A Senior Staff Engineer title covering software architecture must be supported by a bachelor's degree in computer science or engineering, not information systems or a related-but-different field. Mismatches draw CBP scrutiny.
Target employers experienced with visa sponsorship
Companies experienced with visa sponsorship understand the support letter requirements and won't stall on legal review. Filter your search by employers in semiconductors, cloud infrastructure, and defense contracting, where Senior Staff Engineer roles are most common and employers with recent visa filings concentrate.
Nail the employer support letter before your border crossing
For Canadians, the support letter is your entire case at the port of entry. It must specify your engineering discipline, the qualifying USMCA category, your degree, and your prearranged employment. A vague or incomplete letter can result in a same-day denial with no appeal.
Use Migrate Mate to find TN-eligible roles
Searching general job boards wastes time on roles where employers lack visa sponsorship experience. Migrate Mate filters Senior Staff Engineer listings to those at employers with recent visa filings, so you're applying where the company has demonstrated experience navigating work visa sponsorship processes.
Address concurrent employment if you hold multiple roles
Senior Staff Engineers sometimes consult or advise for a second employer. TN status permits concurrent employment, but each employer requires a separate TN petition and its own support letter. CBP officers can deny entry if undisclosed work arrangements surface during inspection.
Prepare Mexican citizens for DS-160 and consular processing timelines
Mexican nationals cannot self-petition at the border like Canadians. You'll complete the DS-160, pay the MRV fee, and schedule a consular interview, typically at a U.S. embassy in Mexico. Factor four to eight weeks into your start date negotiation with the employer.
Senior Staff Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Senior Staff Engineer JobsSenior Staff Engineer TN Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Staff Engineer role qualify for TN visa sponsorship?
Yes, if your role falls within a recognized engineering discipline covered by the USMCA Engineer category, such as software, electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering. The job title alone doesn't control eligibility; your actual duties and the degree field on your transcript must align. CBP officers assess the degree-to-role connection at the port of entry or consulate.
How does TN visa sponsorship compare to H-1B for Senior Staff Engineers?
TN has no annual lottery and no cap for Canadian citizens, so you can start working as soon as CBP approves your entry, often the same day. H-1B requires winning a lottery that rejects most applicants in a given year and has a minimum six-month wait. TN approval is employer-driven and processed in days, not months, making it significantly faster for qualified engineers with a confirmed offer.
Where can I find Senior Staff Engineer jobs that already offer TN visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for Canadian and Mexican professionals searching for roles with confirmed TN visa sponsorship. Rather than filtering through thousands of listings that don't address immigration, Migrate Mate surfaces Senior Staff Engineer positions where employers have already committed to supporting TN applicants through the process.
Can a Senior Staff Engineer on TN status work for two employers simultaneously?
Yes, TN status allows concurrent employment, but each employer must file a separate TN petition supported by its own qualifying offer letter. You cannot begin work for a second employer until their TN is approved. CBP can revoke status if undisclosed concurrent work is discovered, so documenting every employer relationship before crossing is essential.
How long does TN visa sponsorship take for Mexican citizens compared to Canadians?
Canadian citizens can be approved at a U.S. port of entry on the day of crossing, with processing typically taking under an hour if documentation is complete. Mexican citizens must apply at a U.S. consulate in Mexico, which requires completing the DS-160 form, paying the visa application fee, and attending an interview. The full consular process generally takes four to eight weeks depending on appointment availability.
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