Director, Structures – Design

Shield AI

Director of Aerostructures for X-BAT program at Shield AI, overseeing aircraft structures development and integration. Leading cross-functional teams to optimize combat aircraft performance.

Posted 6/12/2026full-timeDallas • Texas • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $210,000 - $320,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the aerostructures organization for the X-BAT program, including design, analysis, integration, testing, and certification strategy
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
Lead structural trade studies balancing weight, performance, cost, producibility, maintainability, and mission requirements
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

Requirements

What you’ll need

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

Benefits

Comp & perks

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

aerospace structural engineeringaircraft primary structurescomposites designmetallic designstructural analysisintegrationaircraft loadsstress analysisfatigue analysisdurability analysis

Soft Skills

leadershipteam buildingmentoringcollaborationcommunicationstrategic thinkingproblem-solvingroot-cause analysistechnical excellenceadaptability

Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace EngineeringBachelor’s degree in Mechanical EngineeringU.S. security clearance