Senior Structural Analyst (R3263)

Company: Shield AI
Location: San Diego
Posted on: February 19, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description 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. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. Job Description: Shield AI is seeking a Senior Structural Analyst to support the structural analysis and testing of advanced UAVs. In this role, you will contribute to the analysis, validation, and optimization of lightweight, high-performance aircraft structures while working closely with Mechanical, Systems, Propulsion, and Aerospace Engineers. This role is ideal for engineers with 5 years of experience who have a strong foundation in structural analysis and are looking to deepen their expertise in finite element analysis (FEA), composite materials, mechanical testing, and aircraft loads in a fast-paced aerospace environment. What you'll do: Build and refine finite element models (FEM) to evaluate structural performance of UAV components and subassemblies. Perform static, modal, fatigue, and vibration analyses to assess stress, deformation, and durability. Conduct hand calculations to validate FEA results and support design decisions. Partner with design engineers to optimize structures for weight, strength, and manufacturability. Support development and execution of structural test plans, including quasi-static, vibration, and shock testing. Analyze structural test data and flight telemetry to correlate analysis predictions with real-world performance. Assist in defining load cases, material properties, and design margins. Prepare and present structural analysis reports to cross-functional engineering teams. Contribute to improving analysis workflows, tools, and documentation. Required qualifications: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field. 5 years of experience in structural analysis, FEA, or aerospace structures. Experience with FEA tools (ANSYS, NASTRAN, HyperWorks, or similar). Strong hand-calculation skills for strength, stability, and fatigue. Working knowledge of composite materials and lightweight structures. Familiarity with structural testing methods. Proficiency with data analysis tools (Excel, MATLAB, Python, or similar). Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate in a team-based environment. Preferred qualifications: Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering. Experience with UAVs, aircraft structures, or aerospace testing programs. Exposure to CAD (NX, SolidWorks) and PLM tools. Familiarity with aerospace standards and structural certification concepts. LI-JM2 LC 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.

Keywords: Shield AI, La Mesa , Senior Structural Analyst (R3263), Engineering , San Diego, California