# Senior Staff Engineer, Actuation Systems Architecture & Design (RX) (R6003) at Shield AI

- Company: Shield AI
- What the company does: Autonomy for the world. Backed by a16z.
- Company website: https://shield.ai
- Type: Startups (AI role)
- Level: Senior
- Location: Dallas, Texas
- Work setup: On-site
- Pay: $174K to $261K base salary per year (USD)
- Posted: 2026-09-22
- Apply by: 2026-11-06
- Apply: https://jobs.lever.co/shieldai/4b7a5db0-1217-47f0-a722-c508bc74d08c
- Page: https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/shield-ai-senior-staff-engineer-actuation-systems-architecture-and-design-rx-r60/

## About the role

As a Senior Staff Engineer (L4/L5), you will take full technical ownership of actuation systems architecture, design, and integration for actuated systems and mechanisms on a Group 5 UAV fighter aircraft. You will work from first principles to define requirements, make sound design decisions, and drive the selected solutions through detailed design, integration, qualification, and production.

## What they're looking for

- Clearance required: US Citizens Only & Must have an Active Secret or higher clearance
- Experience: 8 to 15 years in aircraft actuation systems design, with hands-on depth in electric actuation, including EMA or EHA, or centralized hydraulics and working knowledge of the other
- Education: B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- Hardware and Supplier Execution: Proven track record sourcing COTS/custom aerospace components, driving suppliers to schedule, and assembling benchtop or vehicle-level test setups
- Autonomy: Demonstrated ability to self-direct, prioritize technical tasks without oversight, and deliver functional hardware under tight timelines
- Actuation Design Fundamentals: Demonstrated depth in actuator sizing, power and thermal interfaces, FMEA, redundancy management, and mechanical mechanism integration

Tags: X-BAT Engineering - Mechanical