Structures / Mechanical Test Co-op - January 2027 Co-op

Shield AI is hiring a Structures / Mechanical Test Co-op - January 2027 Co-op in Dallas, United States. It pays $41-$70/hr and Level rates it ; you can apply on Shield AI.

Level's read on this job

Level rates this role Little AI ●○○○: aI is not part of the work.
The posting mentions Python, CAD and mechanical testing among its tools and skills.
Level classes it as an internship.
Shield AI has 657 other open roles on Level.
Posted in the last few days.

AI in this role

Mechanical engineering co-op focused on designing, assembling, and operating structural test fixtures and data collection systems.

pythoncad

mechanical-testingstructural-analysisinstrumentationtest-automationfinite-element-analysis

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. Our Summer Internship program is a wonderful opportunity for Fall and Spring graduates to immerse themselves in an innovative and mission driven culture. Our paid internship program will provide you with hands on mentorship, an opportunity to add real contribution to our company via your internship project, and a possible job offer at the end. You will have the chance to make lifelong friendships, expand your network, and learn all about what it's like to work in a high-growth, fast scaling tech unicorn. You'll take part in company sponsored events and enjoy exploring a new city. Read on below to learn more about this unique internship!

This co-op suits students with a solid mechanical engineering foundation who are interested in structural testing, instrumentation, hydraulic systems, CAD, and automation. You'll get real experience designing test equipment, running mechanical tests, and contributing to hardware development in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

What you'll do

Help design, assemble, and operate mechanical test fixtures and systems that use hydraulic actuation, mechanical linkages, and sensor instrumentation.
Support hydraulic system integration, setup, and troubleshooting with guidance from senior engineers.
Help carry out mechanical, structural, and environmental test plans, making sure data collection is accurate and repeatable.
Install, wire, and calibrate sensors such as load cells, pressure transducers, strain gauges, accelerometers, and displacement sensors.
Write and maintain Python scripts for test automation, data processing, and visualization.
Analyze test results, look into unexpected behavior, and write up findings in clear technical reports.
Work with mechanical, systems, electrical, and manufacturing engineers on product development and validation.
Design simple test fixtures, adapters, and components in CAD while learning best practices for manufacturability and safety.
Support Finite Element Analysis (FEA) work that compares analytical predictions with physical test results.
Help fabricate, assemble, and test metallic and composite components.
Help maintain lab equipment, improve test processes, and keep the lab a safe place to work.

Required qualifications

Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's program in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
Available for a full-time co-op starting January 2027
Familiarity with CAD software such as Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or similar, through coursework or projects.
Basic understanding of mechanical systems, structural mechanics, and engineering fundamentals.
Exposure to Python or another programming language for data analysis or automation.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and a willingness to learn new tools and technologies.
Clear written and verbal communication, and the ability to work well on a team.

Preferred qualifications

Previous internship, co-op, research, Formula SAE, Baja SAE, robotics, capstone, or other hands-on project experience involving mechanical testing or hardware development.
Exposure to hydraulic or pneumatic systems.
Familiarity with strain gauges, load cells, pressure sensors, or other instrumentation.
Experience with lab testing, data acquisition systems, or experimental methods.
Exposure to Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
Experience with composite materials through coursework, research, or projects.

#intern Shield AI is proud to offer competitive pay and a housing stipend for qualified hires. While our People Experience team provides resources and assistance, interns are responsible to find their own housing and travel to and from their office location. ### 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

Structures / Mechanical Test Co-op - January 2027 Co-op at Shield AI rates 0 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.

Classification

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.

Key facts

Structures / Mechanical Test Co-op - January 2027 Co-op is an open job at Shield AI.
Level rates this role AI Level 1 of 4: Little AI.
The listed pay is $41-$70/hr.
The role is based in Dallas, Texas.
The job was posted on November 2, 2026.
Seniority: intern.
Applications are handled by Shield AI. Apply on Shield AI

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

Mechanical TestingStructural AnalysisInstrumentationTest AutomationFinite Element AnalysisPythonCAD

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where mechanical 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 instrumentation was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where test automation was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where finite element analysis was part of your work. What did you do?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Mechanical Testing, Structural Analysis, Instrumentation, Test Automation, and Finite Element Analysis. 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.

Want an expert to read your CV for this job?

Free. Send your CV and the role you want next. You get your review by email within 24 hours.

Get a free CV review Get your CV rewritten Check your resume with the ATS resume checker