Staff Engineer, Landing Gear Systems - Ranger (R6294)

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.

Architecture and Kinematic Trades: Lead landing gear architecture definition and trade studies (e.g., electro-mechanical vs. hydro-mechanical actuation, fixed vs. retractable kinematics, stowage packaging) to meet vehicle mass, volume, and ground ground handling requirements. Mechanism and Structural Design: Own the full CAD design lifecycle from initial concept through drawing release, including complex linkage kinematics, clearance envelopes, structural load paths, material selection, and rigorous tolerance stack-ups. Structural and Dynamic Sizing: Perform first-principles classical stress and fatigue hand calculations, backed by finite element analysis (linear/non-linear, modal, buckling) and dynamic landing load assessments. Subsystem Sizing and Selection: Size and select wheels, tires, brakes, shock absorption systems, actuators, and nose wheel steering mechanisms tailored to vehicle landing and taxi envelopes. Component Sourcing and Vendor Management: Author technical specifications and statements of work (SOW) for landing gear components, evaluate vendors, and drive supplier technical execution. Test, Drop Qualification, and Validation: Define verification test plans, design mechanical test fixtures, support drop test campaigns, and execute functional validation against performance requirements. Integration and Flight Test Support: Support prototype assembly, ground taxi testing, and flight test operations to identify discrepancies, resolve mechanism anomalies via root-cause investigation, and implement rapid design changes.

Experience: minimum 7 years (L4) to 12 years (L5) of direct experience in aerospace mechanism design, aircraft landing gear systems, or primary structural development. Education: B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Core Fundamentals: Deep mastery of classical solid mechanics, kinematics, dynamics, fatigue, materials selection (alloys, heat treatments, surface treatments, allowables), and GD&T/tolerance stack-up methodologies. Analysis and Modeling: Demonstrated capability performing closed-form hand calculations and FEA analysis (linear, non-linear, buckling, modal) for high-load mechanism and structural components. CAD and PLM: Extensive experience in 3D CAD modeling, mechanism layout, and drawing release (Siemens NX preferred, or equivalent like CATIA/Creo) with PLM workflows. Hardware and Supplier Execution: Proven track record sourcing aerospace hardware, collaborating with specialized mechanism/actuator suppliers, and supporting physical builds and test rigs. Autonomy: Demonstrated ability to self-direct, prioritize technical tasks without oversight, and deliver functional hardware under tight timelines. Clearance: Secret eligible

Direct experience with UAV, autonomous aircraft, or rotorcraft landing systems and arresting gear integration. Familiarity with aerospace structural, environmental, and mechanism drop-test standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810, RTCA DO-160, AS6053, MIL-A-8866/MIL-A-8867). Hands-on machine shop, fabrication, or mechanical assembly experience in a prototype or rapid R&D environment.