Staff Flutter Engineer (Dallas)

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent, autonomous systems. Its products include Hivemind Enterprise—EdgeOS, Pilot, Commander, and Forge—as well as V-BAT and Sentient Vision Systems (wide-area motion imaging software). With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI’s technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide.  For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X and Instagram.    

Job Description:

As a Staff Flutter Engineer, you’ll be responsible for leading the flutter analysis, modeling, and validation of aeroelastic behavior on our next-generation UAV. You will define flutter stability margins, support flight envelope expansion, and help ensure structural integrity under all flight conditions.

You’ll serve as the primary interface for all aeroelastic concerns, including flutter, divergence, and control surface instability. You’ll work closely with structural dynamics, GNC, test, and design teams to develop accurate models, mitigate instability risk, and correlate flutter predictions with real-world data.

• Lead flutter analysis across the full vehicle using modal, unsteady aerodynamic, and coupled aeroelastic modeling tools
• Build reduced-order models using software such as NASTRAN, ZAERO, MSC FlightLoads and Dynamics, or similar tools
• Perform frequency response and damping analysis to identify potential instabilities
• Define flutter clearance envelopes, predict divergence margins, and recommend design mitigations
• Support mass property and stiffness modeling for aeroelastic fidelity and flutter prediction accuracy
• Partner with test engineering to support flight test instrumentation, flutter testing, and data correlation
• Participate in structural design reviews to guide layout decisions based on flutter risk
• Own flutter test readiness reviews, analysis reports, and technical sign-off for envelope expansion
• Stay ahead of industry trends and recommend improved modeling or simulation practices
• Contribute to design guidelines that enable flutter-resilient structural concepts

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Structural Dynamics, or related discipline
• 8+ years of experience in flutter or aeroelastic analysis for aircraft development
• Proficient in flutter analysis tools such as ZAERO, NASTRAN, MSC FBD, MATLAB, or equivalent
• Deep understanding of structural dynamics, modal analysis, and aeroelastic stability theory
• Experience working with structural design and test teams to drive aeroelastic-informed decisions
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical efforts related to flutter risk mitigation

• Experience on Group 3–5 UAVs, fighter-class aircraft, or military platforms
• Familiarity with MIL-F-9490, DO-160 flutter requirements, or equivalent test standards
• Background in real-time monitoring or adaptive control systems for flutter suppression
• Experience designing or overseeing flutter flight tests
• Active or prior DoD clearance (not required)

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Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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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.