Senior Staff / Staff Structural Analysis Engineer

Job overview

The Senior Staff / Staff Structural Analysis Engineer role is listed in Seattle, WA, and the work arrangement is not specified. Compensation is $180,000–$280,000 per year. The engineer supports Shield AI’s development of next-generation unmanned aerial vehicle platforms, within a company focused on intelligent systems for protecting service members and civilians. The engineer leads structural analysis and validation work to ensure airframe integrity across development, flight testing, and production. The role informs design decisions, supports test correlation, and provides technical guidance to structural analysts and cross-functional engineering teams.

What you'll do

• Lead structural analysis for UAV airframes, substructures, and components
• define and execute finite element models, load cases, assumptions, and margin assessments
• perform or oversee static, modal, fatigue, vibration, and damage-tolerance analyses
• establish hand-calculation and model-validation practices
• optimize structures for performance, weight, cost, and manufacturability
• support structural test strategy and analysis-to-test correlation
• review technical deliverables
• mentor analysts
• collaborate with design, loads, aerodynamics, propulsion, and systems teams
• improve analysis methods and standards.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

structural analysis engineer

staff or senior staff

seattle wa

shield ai

uav airframes

finite element analysis

ansys

nastran

composite structures

flight test validation

$180k–$280k

10+ years experience

defense technology

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Full-time regular employee package includes bonus, benefits, and equity
• temporary employee package includes temporary benefits after 60 days. Part-time employees are not eligible for benefits.

Why this role

Staff or Senior Staff level considered. Requires 10+ years of structural analysis, aircraft structures, or aerospace systems experience and expertise with FEA tools; ability to obtain S//SAR-level security clearance is desired.

About the employer

Shield AI is hiring for this role. Industry: Engineering Services. Sector: 54.