Staff Engineer, Landing Gear Systems (R5372)

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!

As a Principal Landing Gear Engineer, you will be responsible for contributing to the mechanical design and development of Shield AI's autonomous UAV products. You will help architect landing gear on next generation unmanned aerial platforms, perform the detailed design of landing gear, doors and related mechanisms, 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.

• Experience with UAVs, aircraft, rotorcraft, or other landable air systems

• Kinematic analysis and optimization of retractable landing gear systems

• Knowledge of tire, wheel, and brake selection along with brake control systems

• Structural analysis utilizing hand calculations and finite element methods

• FEA analysis: Modal, non-linear and linear, buckling, fatigue

• Materials selection inclusive of alloys, heat treatments, allowables, and finishes

• Ability to work independently in fast-paced, cross-functional teams
• Familiarity with electro-mechanical actuators

• Hands-on machine shop or mechanic experience (professional or hobby)

• RTCA DO-160, MIL-STD-810, structural, actuated mechanism, or AS6053 drop testing experience

• Ability to thrive in startup, R&D, or defense innovation environments
• Design electro-mechanical or hydro-mechanical landing gear for autonomous aircraft

• Own the full design process: concept, CAD design, analysis, tolerance stackups, 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, hydraulics, and structures teams

• Support pre-production builds, prototype integration, and ground/flight testing