Principal Engineer, Fluid & Thermal Systems (R5620)

Shield AI; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 266,000 - 400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI in the United States is seeking an experienced Fluid & Thermal Systems Engineer to help shape the future of AI-enabled aerospace and defense platforms. You will own the fluid and thermal design of aircraft and ground systems, perform simulations, validate against requirements, and mentor junior engineers within a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

A 15+ year track record and degree in Mechanical or Aerospace engineering are required, with hands-on MATLAB/Simscape, Amesim, 3D CAD

Qualifications

• Minimum 15+ years in fluid or thermal system design with a proven track record.
• B.S. or advanced degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering.
• Strong knowledge of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and system-level management.
• Experience with numerical modeling and sensor integration in testing environments.

Responsibilities

• Own design and analysis of fluid and thermal systems for aircraft and ground platforms.
• Develop and implement innovative thermal solutions and validate against requirements.
• Run simulations to predict performance and refine designs.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to integrate designs into larger architectures.
• Mentor junior engineers and manage supplier relationships for components.

Skills

Fluid system design

Thermal system design

Heat transfer

System-level modeling

Data analysis

Education

B.S. or higher in Mechanical/Aerospace

Tools

MATLAB Simscape

Amesim

Excel

Python

Siemens NX

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of 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. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai . Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn , X , Instagram , and YouTube .

Job Description

Are you an experienced and innovative Fluid & Thermal Systems Engineer looking to help shape the future of AI and robotics technology? Are you eager to make a meaningful impact on cutting-edge products that matter? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment alongside highly motivated and values-focused teammates? Shield AI is the perfect place for you!

What you'll do

• Own design and analysis of fluid and thermal systems for aircraft and ground platforms.
• Develop and implement innovative thermal solutions
• Use first-principles engineering to drive design decisions to yield optimal solutions
• Research technologies for integration into complex solutions
• Conduct advanced simulations to predict system performance and refine designs
• Execute testing and validation efforts, including data acquisition, post-processing, and verification against requirements
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to integrate fluid and thermal system designs into larger system architectures.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers, fostering technical growth and excellence within the team.
• Identify suppliers and build successful supplier management relationships for procurement of components or systems for fluid and thermal system designs
• Other duties as assigned

Required qualifications

• Minimum 15+ years of experience in Fluid or Thermal System design, with a proven track record of technical excellence.
• B.S. or advanced degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering discipline.
• Deep understanding of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and system-level thermal management.
• Experience implementing system models in commercial tools, such as MATLAB Simscape, Amesim, etc.
• Experience developing custom engineering models in Excel and in languages such as MATLAB, Python, etc.
• Experience in fluid and thermal system testing, including sensor integration, data acquisition, and analysis.
• Expertise in 3D CAD modeling tools such as Siemens NX or equivalent.
• Demonstrated ability to execute projects with minimal oversight, assume full ownership, and deliver exceptional outcomes.
• Excellence in supplier management, COTS component sourcing, optimization/trade studies
• Proven success in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
• Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

Preferred qualifications

• Extensive experience with fluid & thermal system design, analysis, manufacture and test for aircraft
• Familiarity with fluid and thermal system effects on aircraft performance
• Familiarity with startup or R&D environments, demonstrating adaptability and agility under pressure.
• Strong knowledge of environmental standards and certification processes for aerospace or defense systems.
• A passion for innovation and the ability to push boundaries in fluid & thermal system development.

$266,000 - $400,000 a year

#LF

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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.

AI tools disclosure

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.