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Sr. Manager, Aerostructures Design, X-BAT (R5633)

Shield AI· X-BAT Division – X-BAT Engineering - Aerostructures
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Hybrid (Seattle, WA / Dallas, TX)$190k - $280kFull Time EmployeePosted 4mo ago

About the role

Senior leadership role responsible for leading the aerostructures design organization for the X-BAT autonomous aircraft program, delivering lightweight, manufacturable, survivable structures and building a high-performing engineering team.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the aerostructures design organization for the X-BAT program.
  • Drive development of lightweight, manufacturable, survivable aircraft structures optimized for autonomous combat aircraft operations
  • Partner closely with flight sciences, propulsion, avionics, manufacturing, autonomy, flight test, and supply chain teams to deliver integrated aircraft solutions
  • Establish engineering processes, design standards, configuration management, and structural development roadmaps across the program lifecycle
  • Oversee development and validation of composite and metallic airframe structures, including primary load-bearing assemblies
  • Build and mentor a world-class aerostructures engineering team capable of rapid execution and technical excellence
  • Support transition from development programs into scalable production environments
  • Drive root-cause analysis and corrective action efforts for structural, manufacturing, and flight-test findings
  • Present technical reviews, program risks, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and external stakeholders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
  • 12+ years of aerospace structural engineering experience, including leadership responsibility on advanced aircraft programs
  • Deep expertise in aircraft primary structures, composites, metallic design, structural analysis, and integration
  • Experience leading teams through full aircraft development cycles from conceptual design through flight test and production
  • Strong understanding of aircraft loads, stress analysis, fatigue, durability, and structural substantiation methodologies
  • Experience collaborating across highly integrated aerospace development organizations
  • Proven ability to recruit, develop, and scale high-performing engineering teams
  • Experience operating in fast-paced development environments with aggressive technical schedules
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

Skills

Required:Aerospace structural engineeringLeadership and people management

Benefits

  • Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
  • Equal opportunity employer; accommodation available upon request
Last updated Oct 23, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Shield AI

Autonomy for the world.

Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.

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