Senior Engineer, Air Vehicle Fluid Systems (R5203)

Shield AI; Texas; Hybrid; USD 112,439 - 168,659; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Temporary benefits after 60 days

Job summary

Shield AI, located in the United States, is seeking a Senior Fluid Systems Engineer to develop and test essential systems for its jet-engine VTOL military UAV platform, X-BAT. The role involves designing fluid systems, engaging suppliers, and performing analyses under rigorous conditions.

The successful candidate will possess a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and over 5 years of relevant experience. Competitive salary within the range of $112,439 to $168,659 plus bonus and benefits offered to full-time employees.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience with environmental control systems, liquid cooling systems, thermal systems, component design, system analysis.
• Strong proficiency in performing design, build, and test in a rigorous manner.
• Ability to work independently in fast-paced teams.

Responsibilities

• Design components and fluid systems for VTOL military UAV platform.
• Engage with suppliers and perform system and component analysis.
• Travel to support flight test operations.

Skills

Environmental control systems

Liquid cooling systems

Thermal systems

Component design

Fluid system analysis

Strong CAD skills (NX preferred)

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

Tools

Simscape

Amesim

Job description

Founded in 2015, 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 and V‑BAT and X‑BAT aircraft. 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.

Job Description

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Fluid Systems Engineer to support development and flight testing of liquid cooling and thermal management systems for our groundbreaking jet‑engine VTOL military UAV platform, X‑BAT. You will design components and fluid systems, engage with suppliers, perform system and component analysis and sizing, and own multiple aspects of X‑BAT’s fluid systems. You may also travel to support flight test operations in the control room out of Shield AI’s Newton, KS test site during Shield AI’s flight test campaigns.

Required qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent).
• 5+ years experience with environmental control systems, liquid cooling systems, thermal systems, component design, system analysis, supplier management, requirements management, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to execute design, build, and test with rigor at speed.
• Strong CAD skills (NX preferred).
• Demonstrated proficiency with fluid system analysis, including 1st principles, Simscape, Amesim, etc.
• Ability to work independently in fast‑paced, cross‑functional teams.
• A demonstrated record of working hard, being trustworthy, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with environmental and operational robustness (vibration/shock, thermal extremes, contamination, corrosion, sand/dust, etc.).
• Experience supporting ground test and flight test campaigns and system checkout, failure investigations.
• Familiarity with reliability and safety methods (DFMEA/FTA, fault containment, safe‑state thinking) in collaboration with systems safety.
• Familiarity with fighter‑class and larger aircraft flight test operations, control room operations, radio communication procedures, and test data processing and presentation.

Salary: $112,439 - $168,659 a year.

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 such as 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.

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.