Senior Propulsion Design Engineer (R4641)

The role

You will own the design and release of propulsion hardware for the X-BAT UAV, covering the engine, fuel, oil, and bleed air systems. The role spans from early design through production, test support, and flight operations, working closely with shop, production, and flight test teams.

What you will do

• Own the design and release of propulsion hardware for the engine, fuel, oil, and bleed air systems
• Develop and maintain CAD models, drawings, and assemblies in Siemens NX with proper GD&T
• Turn propulsion architecture and requirements into manufacturable, testable, flight-ready hardware
• Work with the machine shop, production, and technicians to support builds, resolve non-conformances, and drive improvements
• Support test campaigns with hardware design, instrumentation accommodation, and rapid iteration on test findings
• Apply engineering analysis (hand calcs, ANSYS, FEA, GFSSP, REFPROP) for sizing, load cases, and validation
• Support configuration management, BOM control, and change processes using Teamcenter or equivalent PLM
• Participate in design reviews, interface control efforts, and root cause investigations

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience in aerospace hardware design, preferably supporting propulsion systems
• Proficiency in CAD modeling and drawing creation (NX preferred) with sound GD&T
• Experience working directly with production, technicians, and machine shops to resolve build issues
• Understanding of design for manufacturing, including machining limits, tolerance stack-ups, and assembly workflows
• Some hands-on experience developing assembly guidance and supporting hardware builds and test integration
• U.S. Citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements
• Ability to obtain an S//SAR level security clearance (desired)

Nice to have

• Experience with jet propulsion systems on UAVs or tactical aircraft
• Familiarity with GFSSP, REFPROP, ANSYS, or FEA for design trade studies and validation
• Ability to write Python scripts for design automation, analysis, or data processing
• Experience with interface control, fastener selection for high-vibration environments, and high-temperature materials
• Experience designing hardware in test-driven development environments with rapid iteration cycles
• M.S. in Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline

Benefits

• Full-time regular employees: bonus
• Full-time regular employees: benefits
• Full-time regular employees: equity
• Temporary employees: temporary benefits package, applicable after 60 days of employment

Before you apply

• U.S. citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements
• Offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits

About the company

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company that builds intelligent systems to protect service members and civilians. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation technologies.