Staff Propulsion Engineer — Lead Engine Design & Flight

Shield AI; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 263,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI in Seattle is seeking a Staff Propulsion Engineer to lead design, integration, and fielding of next‑gen autonomous aircraft propulsion. You will own propulsion hardware from requirements through testing, flight, and operations, interfacing with suppliers and internal teams.

The role demands deep thermodynamics, gas turbine understanding, hands-on testing, and data analysis, with an emphasis on rapid, verifiable results and collaboration across engineering disciplines. U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering required.
• 7+ years of propulsion development, integration, testing, or flight operations with ownership of hardware.
• Strong thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and gas turbine performance knowledge.
• Hands-on propulsion integration, instrumentation, testing, and flight support.
• Proficiency in Python for engineering analysis and data reduction.
• Ability to drive ambiguous technical problems to measurable results in a fast-paced environment.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Responsible Engineer for propulsion hardware from requirements through procurement, build, test, flight, and deployment.
• Own engine performance, interfaces, operability, margins, and vehicle impacts.
• Lead design reviews, supplier engagements, and hardware procurement to meet requirements.
• Plan and execute propulsion testing with instrumentation and data acquisition.
• Analyze ground and flight data to understand engine behavior and drive improvements.
• Lead failure investigations and develop corrective actions.
• Collaborate with design engineers, technicians, controls, airframe, manufacturing, and supply chain teams.
• Mentor junior engineers and strengthen propulsion practices.

Skills

Problem solving

Ownership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

MS or PhD in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Python

Job description

Shield AI in Seattle is seeking a Staff Propulsion Engineer to lead design, integration, and fielding of next‑gen autonomous aircraft propulsion. You will own propulsion hardware from requirements through testing, flight, and operations, interfacing with suppliers and internal teams.

The role demands deep thermodynamics, gas turbine understanding, hands-on testing, and data analysis, with an emphasis on rapid, verifiable results and collaboration across engineering disciplines. U.S.