Shield AIEngineer I, Mechanical Hardware Test
Shield AI is hiring an Engineer I, Mechanical Hardware Test in Seattle, United States. It pays $98k-$140k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Shield AI.
Level's read on this job
- On Level's scale, this role is Little AI ●○○○: aI is not part of the work.
- Tools and skills the posting cites include CAD, mechanical engineering and hardware testing.
- Level classifies it as a junior role.
- Level lists 654 other open roles at Shield AI.
AI in this role
Supports design, development, and testing of flight hardware and mechanical test systems for autonomous aircraft.
Job Description:
Shield AI is pioneering the development of AI-powered autonomous aircraft for national defense, pushing the boundaries of aerospace innovation. Our next-generation UAS is a high-endurance unmanned system designed for deployment in complex, contested environments.
We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer I to support the design, development, and testing of flight hardware and mechanical test systems. In this entry-level role, you will work alongside experienced engineers to develop fixed and field-deployable solutions for hardware qualification, environmental testing, stress testing, and sustainment.
You will gain hands-on experience in mechanical design, structural analysis, and aerospace test systems while collaborating with engineering, manufacturing, and flight operations teams.
What you'll do:
- Support the design, analysis, fabrication, and assembly of mechanical and structural systems.
- Create and revise CAD models, engineering drawings, and manufacturing specifications.
- Assist in designing structural and electromechanical test stands and fixtures for aeronautical components.
- Participate in prototyping, testing, troubleshooting, and design validation.
- Perform structural, thermal, and fatigue assessments with guidance from experienced engineers.
- Develop test procedures, document results, and communicate findings.
- Participate in design reviews and contribute ideas that improve reliability, manufacturability, and testability.
- Support coordination with manufacturing teams and suppliers during fabrication and assembly.
- Apply engineering fundamentals to hands-on technical problems in laboratory, shop, and field environments.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required qualifications:
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related STEM field.
- 0–2 years of relevant experience; internships, co-ops, research, and substantial academic projects may count toward this requirement.
- Foundational knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, physics, and mathematics.
- Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, or similar.
- Familiarity with engineering drawings, material selection, structural analysis, and common manufacturing processes.
- Hands-on experience building, testing, or troubleshooting mechanical systems.
- Ability to organize technical work, document results, and communicate effectively.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced development environment with evolving priorities.
- Record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others.
Preferred qualifications:
- Internship, co-op, research, or project experience in aerospace, robotics, automotive, test engineering, or a related field.
- Familiarity with finite element analysis, thermal analysis, or fatigue and lifecycle testing.
- Experience designing or testing aerospace structures, test fixtures, or ground support equipment.
- Experience using machine-shop tools or rapid-prototyping methods.
- Exposure to instrumentation, sensors, data-acquisition systems, or electromechanical systems.
- Familiarity with hydraulics, nondestructive evaluation or testing, or aerospace testing practices.
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.
How we rate this
Engineer I, Mechanical Hardware Test at Shield AI rates 20 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.
Little AI. AI is not part of the work.
- ●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
- ●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
- ●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
- ●○○○ Little AI0 to 39
Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.
Prepare for this job
Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.
Skills and AI tools this role asks for
Questions you could be asked
- Tell me about a project where mechanical engineering was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where hardware testing was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where structural analysis was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where prototyping was part of your work. What did you do?
- Walk me through how you've used CAD in your day-to-day work.
Adapt your resume
- List these exact terms on your resume: Mechanical Engineering, Hardware Testing, Structural Analysis, Prototyping, and CAD. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
- Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
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