Principal Loads Engineer (R3263)

Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company focused on protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. The Principal Loads Engineer will serve as the technical authority for aircraft loads and aeroelastic analysis, defining and leading the full-vehicle loads strategy across advanced UAV platforms.

Responsibilities:

• Own and define the full-vehicle loads and aeroelastic analysis strategy from clean-sheet development through production and flight test
• Establish and govern aerodynamic and structural load envelopes, including maneuver, gust, landing, ground, and mission-driven load cases
• Lead both quasi-static and dynamic loads analyses, including transient and coupled aeroelastic assessments
• Serve as the technical authority for V-n diagrams, load factors, and structural load path definition across the aircraft
• Define and review loads modeling approaches using NASTRAN, FEMAP, MATLAB, Simulink, Python, or equivalent environments
• Drive aeroelastic stability evaluations including divergence, flutter, control reversal, and load alleviation strategies
• Partner closely with Aero and GNC teams to ensure loads assumptions align with flight control laws, mission profiles, and aircraft performance objectives
• Establish traceability standards across loads models, ICDs, FEA inputs, and certification artifacts
• Define and oversee loads correlation strategy, including strain gauge placement, instrumentation planning, and in-flight data reconciliation
• Review and approve loads deliverables for design reviews, compliance documentation, and executive technical decision forums
• Mentor and technically guide loads and aeroelastic engineers across the organization
• Develop and standardize loads methodologies, automation frameworks, and internal tools to scale capability across programs

Requirements:

• B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• 12+ years of experience performing aircraft loads and aeroelastic analysis on manned or unmanned platforms
• Demonstrated technical leadership on complex aerospace programs, including ownership of loads strategy or methodology
• Deep expertise in aerodynamic loads derivation, flight envelope development, and structural load path definition
• Advanced proficiency with industry-standard loads and FEA tools (NASTRAN, FEMAP, ANSYS, MATLAB, Python, Simulink, or equivalent)
• Strong understanding of aeroelastic stability phenomena including flutter, divergence, and control reversal
• Extensive experience supporting both structural design and flight test with validated load predictions
• Experience presenting loads rationale and technical tradeoffs to senior engineering leadership
• Excellent cross-functional collaboration and technical communication skills
• Master's or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or related discipline
• Experience on UAV, eVTOL, or tactical military aircraft programs
• Familiarity with MIL-A-8860, FAR Part 23/25, or other certification loads standards
• Experience developing load alleviation strategies or adaptive control-informed loads methodologies
• Track record of building internal tools, automation pipelines, or standardized loads frameworks