Job Details

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: We are seeking a highly skilled Propulsion Design Engineer IV to serve as a senior technical contributor within our propulsion team. This role focuses on the design, release, and continual improvement of mechanical components and assemblies for internal combustion and jet propulsion systems on UAV platforms. As a senior design engineer, you'll lead complex CAD efforts, enforce rigorous design standards, and collaborate directly with Responsible Engineers, technicians, machinists, and production teams to ensure our propulsion hardware is functional, manufacturable, and testable. You will be the cornerstone of configuration control, interface discipline, and design-for-execution within the team. What you will do in this role: Own the design of propulsion components and subsystems from concept through production releaseDevelop and maintain high-quality CAD models, detailed drawings, and assemblies using Siemens NX with fully applied GD&TWrite and enforce propulsion design standards and contribute to company-wide design best practicesCollaborate closely with the machine shop, production team, and technicians to support builds, resolve non-conformances, and drive iterative improvementsDevelop initial work instructions, assembly guidance, and design documentation for repeatability and scalabilityEnsure designs are practical, manufacturable, and cost-effective, with strong understanding of machining, tolerances, materials, and assembly workflowsApply engineering analysis and judgment (e.g., hand calcs, GFSSP, ANSYS, FEA, REFPROP) to support sizing, load cases, and design validationSupport configuration management, BOM control, and change processes using Teamcenter or equivalent PLMParticipate in design reviews, interface control working groups, and root cause investigationsRequired qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline7+ years of experience in mechanical design for aerospace, with direct propulsion hardware experience preferredExpert-level proficiency in CAD modeling and drawing creation (NX preferred) and application of GD&TProven ability to work cross-functionally with production, machine shop personnel, and technicians to solve real-time hardware issuesFamiliarity with design for manufacturing, including machining processes, surface modeling, stack-up analysis, and fabrication limitationsHands-on experience developing assembly work instructions, troubleshooting build issues, and implementing hardware-driven design changesExperience with configuration management, PLM systems (Teamcenter), and BOM structureU.S. Citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirementsPreferred qualifications: Experience with GFSSP, REFPROP, ANSYS, FEA, or other mechanical and thermal analysis toolsAbility to write Python scripts for design automation, data analysis, or simulation supportProficient in interface control and tolerance stack-up analysis for complex assembliesKnowledge of fastening methods and joint design for high-vibration, aerospace environmentsFamiliarity with high-temperature materials and design practices for thermally stressed componentsPrior experience designing hardware for internal combustion, turbine, or rocket propulsion systems, particularly in development or test environmentsM.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline#LI-JW2 #LD 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. ### 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.#J-18808-Ljbffr