Staff Engineer, Propulsion (R5899)

The role

This Staff Propulsion Engineer will serve as the Responsible Engineer for assigned propulsion hardware on a next-generation autonomous aircraft system. The role covers requirements, procurement, integration, testing, flight support, and failure investigations, and includes mentoring less experienced engineers.

What you will do

• Serve as the Responsible Engineer for assigned propulsion hardware or capabilities from requirements through deployment.
• Own engine performance and integration, including interfaces, operability, transient behavior and performance margins.
• Lead technical design reviews, supplier engagements and hardware procurement.
• Plan and execute propulsion testing, including instrumentation, procedures, data acquisition and test-to-flight readiness.
• Analyze ground and flight data to quantify margin, identify anomalies and drive improvements.
• Lead failure investigations and root cause efforts with corrective actions.
• Work hands-on with design, controls, fluids, airframe, manufacturing, supply chain, test and flight teams.
• Mentor less experienced engineers and technicians.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in aerospace propulsion development, integration, test, or flight operations, with ownership of complex aerospace hardware.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, compressible flow, and gas turbine engine performance.
• Hands-on experience with propulsion hardware integration, instrumentation, testing, flight support, and failure investigations.
• Strong proficiency in Python or similar tools for engineering analysis, data reduction and model correlation.
• Demonstrated ability to independently drive ambiguous technical problems to measurable results in a fast-paced environment.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain security clearance.

Nice to have

• Experience with fighter-class, low-bypass turbofan, afterburning, or other high-performance gas turbine engines.
• Experience working with engine OEMs or aerospace suppliers through procurement, development, qualification and integration.
• Experience with engine controls, performance tuning, transient validation, or propulsion and flight-control integration.
• Familiarity with GFSSP, REFPROP, ANSYS, FEA, CFD, Siemens NX, or Teamcenter.
• Background in rocket propulsion with experience transferable to high-performance propulsion.
• M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Benefits

• Bonus for full-time regular employees.
• Benefits for full-time regular employees.
• Equity for full-time regular employees.
• Temporary benefits package for temporary employees, applicable after 60 days of employment.

Before you apply

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain a security clearance is required.
• All 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.