Propulsion Fuel Systems Lead — Flight-Test Ready

Shieldai; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Manager of Propulsion to lead fuel system development for the X-BAT vehicle, overseeing architecture, testing, and flight operations. You will manage fuel tanks, pumps, vents, and related propulsion hardware, ensuring performance under demanding conditions.

You will guide teams through thermodynamics and fluid dynamics trade studies, coordinate testing efforts, and drive integration with manufacturing and mission systems. U.S. citizenship and ITAR compliance required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering required.
• 7–10+ years in aerospace fuel/fluid systems development.
• Strong thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, propulsion knowledge.
• In-depth compressible/incompressible flow understanding.
• Experience with fuel system integration, testing, and ops support.
• Demonstrated leadership of engineering teams or major subsystems.
• Ability to obtain ITAR/compliance and security clearances.

Responsibilities

• Lead fuel system development from architecture through testing and flight operations.
• Mentor engineers responsible for tanks, pumps, valves and vent systems.
• Drive integration amid high-G maneuvers, transient operation, and fault tolerance.
• Guide thermodynamic and fluid dynamic trade studies (heat soak, venting, vapor).
• Coordinate testing, instrumentation planning, and performance validation.
• Support failure investigations and root-cause analysis.
• Ensure schedules and supplier activities align with program goals.
• Collaborate with propulsion, airframe, mission systems, and manufacturing teams.

Skills

Thermodynamics

Fluid mechanics

Heat transfer

Aerospace propulsion fundamentals

Compressible flow

Incompressible flow

Jet-powered UAVs experience

System integration

Leadership/people management

Testing & flight operations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or related discipline

Tools

GFSSP

REFPROP

ANSYS

Fluid system modeling tools

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Manager of Propulsion to lead fuel system development for the X-BAT vehicle, overseeing architecture, testing, and flight operations. You will manage fuel tanks, pumps, vents, and related propulsion hardware, ensuring performance under demanding conditions.

You will guide teams through thermodynamics and fluid dynamics trade studies, coordinate testing efforts, and drive integration with manufacturing and mission systems. U.S. citizenship and ITAR compliance required.