Propulsion Engineer, Fleet Support (R5005)

Shield AI; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Propulsion Engineer to lead as the propulsion SME for the V-BAT Fleet Support team, addressing escalated propulsion issues across the fleet. You will act as the engineering point of contact, ensuring diagnosis, root cause analysis, and reliability improvements.

Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, along with over 6 years of relevant experience. The role offers a salary range of $110,000 to $170,000 annually, including bonuses and benefits.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in aircraft, rotorcraft, unmanned aircraft system, or propulsion engineering.
• Ability to analyze technical data from flight, test, maintenance, and inspection activities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the propulsion SME for Fleet Support.
• Diagnose and resolve engine performance issues.
• Develop troubleshooting procedures and inspection criteria.

Skills

Hands-on experience with engine systems

Troubleshooting skills

Mechanical root-cause analysis

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Propulsion Engineer to serve as the propulsion SME for the V-BAT Fleet Support team. In this role you will be the customer‑facing engineering lead for escalated propulsion issues across the fielded fleet, acting as the bridge between Fleet Support and the core propulsion, vehicle, manufacturing, and quality engineering teams to diagnose issues, drive root cause, and improve fleet reliability.

What you’ll do

• Serve as the propulsion SME for Fleet Support and the primary engineering point of contact for propulsion‑related escalations.
• Diagnose and resolve engine performance issues, including hard starts, unstable operation, power loss, thermal excursions, endurance degradation, and intermittent behavior.
• Troubleshoot engine mechanical and hardware issues, including vibration, wear, leaks, mounting or interface issues, actuator concerns, and component failures.
• Investigate fuel and oil system issues, including pressure, flow, filtration, contamination, venting, priming, lubrication, and thermal‑management problems.
• Analyze flight data, maintenance records, teardown findings, and field reports to identify failure modes and define corrective actions.
• Develop troubleshooting procedures, inspection criteria, repair guidance, and return‑to‑service recommendations for Fleet Support personnel and customers.
• Partner with propulsion, air vehicle, quality, manufacturing, and supplier teams to drive permanent corrective actions and reliability improvements.
• Capture recurring fleet issues and translate them into engineering recommendations, service actions, and long‑term design improvements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 6+ years of experience in aircraft, rotorcraft, unmanned aircraft system, or propulsion engineering.
• Strong hands‑on experience with engine systems, fuel systems, oil systems, thermal behavior, vibration, and mechanical root‑cause analysis.
• Experience troubleshooting fielded hardware and working from ambiguous or incomplete failure reports.
• Ability to analyze technical data from flight, test, maintenance, and inspection activities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in cross‑functional and customer‑facing environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with heavy‑fuel or small‑aircraft propulsion systems.
• Experience supporting deployed, expeditionary, or maritime systems.
• Experience with corrective action processes, reliability improvement, or supplier‑quality coordination.
• Comfort working in fast‑paced field environments and supporting customer‑site troubleshooting.

Compensation

$110,000 - $170,000 a year. Full‑time regular employee offer includes salary within the listed range, bonus, benefits, and equity. Temporary employee offer includes salary within the listed range with temporary benefits after 60 days of employment. Salary compensation is influenced by a variety of factors including 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.