Mechanical Engineering Intern in Seattle, WA

Shield AI's Air Vehicle Systems and Test Teams develop, integrate, and verify the mechanical and fluid systems that allow its autonomous aircraft to function as complete vehicles. The team works across actuation and mechanisms, fluid and thermal systems, equipment installations, test hardware, instrumentation, and interfaces with structures, electrical systems, propulsion, and manufacturing. As an intern, you will work alongside engineers on a real program need, moving a scoped project from requirements and concept development through design, build, test, data review, and design improvement.

Intern Project Scope and Responsibilities

• Own a scoped design project and support adjacent team needs. The primary project may focus on aircraft hardware design and integration, a component or subsystem test stand, an environmental-test fixture, or a new test method.
• Turn the project objective into clear requirements, interfaces, success criteria, a build plan, and a test approach, with support from your mentor and project stakeholders.
• Develop CAD models and drawings for brackets, mounts, tooling, fixtures, routing, and other hardware, accounting for loads, tolerances, access, manufacturability, and maintainability.
• Use first-principles calculations and engineering tools to size hardware, evaluate tradeoffs, predict performance, and identify technical risks before test.
• Support fabrication, procurement, assembly, instrumentation, checkout, and troubleshooting of test articles, fixtures, and related hardware.
• Define instrumentation and data-acquisition needs, write clear test procedures, and support component or subsystem testing under mentor supervision.
• Reduce and interpret test data, compare results with requirements and predictions, document conclusions, and recommend practical design or test-process improvements.
• Take part in design and test reviews, keep engineering documentation clear, and present your work and results at the end of the internship. Other duties may be assigned as team needs change.

About Shield AI

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company focused on protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. The company has offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.

About the Internship

The paid Summer Internship program is designed for Fall and Spring graduates. Interns receive hands-on mentorship, the chance to contribute real work through their internship project, and a possible job offer at the end. Shield AI offers competitive pay and a housing stipend for qualified hires. Interns are responsible for finding their own housing and travel to and from the office location.

Shield AI is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. It is 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. Applicants who need accommodation for a disability or special need should let the company know.