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Staff Engineer, Landing Gear Systems - Ranger (R6294)

Shield AI· X-BAT Division – X-BAT Engineering - Mechanical
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Seattle, WA$170k - $250kFull Time EmployeePosted 1w ago

About the role

Staff or Senior Staff Landing Gear Engineer responsible for full technical ownership of landing gear architecture, mechanism design, structural analysis, and vehicle integration for a new UAV platform in a rapid-iteration development environment.

Responsibilities

  • Architecture and Kinematic Trades: Lead landing gear architecture definition and trade studies (e.g., electro-mechanical vs. hydro-mechanical actuation, fixed vs. retractable kinematics, stowage packaging) to meet vehicle mass, volume, and ground ground handling requirements.
  • Mechanism and Structural Design: Own the full CAD design lifecycle from initial concept through drawing release, including complex linkage kinematics, clearance envelopes, structural load paths, material selection, and rigorous tolerance stack-ups.
  • Structural and Dynamic Sizing: Perform first-principles classical stress and fatigue hand calculations, backed by finite element analysis (linear/non-linear, modal, buckling) and dynamic landing load assessments.
  • Subsystem Sizing and Selection: Size and select wheels, tires, brakes, shock absorption systems, actuators, and nose wheel steering mechanisms tailored to vehicle landing and taxi envelopes.
  • Component Sourcing and Vendor Management: Author technical specifications and statements of work (SOW) for landing gear components, evaluate vendors, and drive supplier technical execution.
  • Test, Drop Qualification, and Validation: Define verification test plans, design mechanical test fixtures, support drop test campaigns, and execute functional validation against performance requirements.
  • Integration and Flight Test Support: Support prototype assembly, ground taxi testing, and flight test operations to identify discrepancies, resolve mechanism anomalies via root-cause investigation, and implement rapid design changes.

Qualifications

  • Experience: minimum 7 years (L4) to 12 years (L5) of direct experience in aerospace mechanism design, aircraft landing gear systems, or primary structural development.
  • Education: B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • Core Fundamentals: Deep mastery of classical solid mechanics, kinematics, dynamics, fatigue, materials selection (alloys, heat treatments, surface treatments, allowables), and GD&T/tolerance stack-up methodologies.
  • Analysis and Modeling: Demonstrated capability performing closed-form hand calculations and FEA analysis (linear, non-linear, buckling, modal) for high-load mechanism and structural components.
  • CAD and PLM: Extensive experience in 3D CAD modeling, mechanism layout, and drawing release (Siemens NX preferred, or equivalent like CATIA/Creo) with PLM workflows.
  • Hardware and Supplier Execution: Proven track record sourcing aerospace hardware, collaborating with specialized mechanism/actuator suppliers, and supporting physical builds and test rigs.
  • Autonomy: Demonstrated ability to self-direct, prioritize technical tasks without oversight, and deliver functional hardware under tight timelines.
  • Clearance: Secret eligible

Skills

Required:Landing gear architecture and kinematic tradesCAD design and drawing releaseStructural analysis and FEAMaterials selection and metallurgyGD&T and tolerance stack-upsVendor management and supplier executionVerification, test planning, and validationFlight test support and integration

Benefits

  • Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
  • Temporary employee offer package (applicable after 60 days of employment) + temporary benefits package
Last updated Oct 23, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

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