Senior Propulsion Engineer

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. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Job Description:

We are seeking a Propulsion Engineer to serve as the Responsible Engineer (RE) for the Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system on X-BAT. This role demands full lifecycle ownership of the TVC system, from concept and architecture through design, integration, test, flight, and operational support.

You will serve as the focal point for all technical matters related to thrust vectoring, ensuring the system enables precise flight control authority, integrates cleanly with the engine and airframe, and performs reliably across the full range of operational conditions. This role is hands-on, data-driven, and highly cross-functional, requiring collaboration with controls, airframe, flight test, and mission teams.

What you'll do:

• Act as the single-threaded owner for the TVC system, accountable for all technical decisions from concept to flight.
• Define and manage system requirements, performance goals, and mechanical/electrical interfaces.
• Design and integrate vectoring mechanisms with the engine and surrounding structure.
• Lead ground and flight testing of the TVC system, including instrumentation planning, data collection, and performance evaluation.
• Analyze control authority, vectoring bandwidth, and dynamic response across the flight envelope.
• Collaborate with the controls team to shape vectoring logic and ensure closed-loop system performance meets CONOPS requirements.
• Own fault management, failure investigations, and system reliability strategies.
• Represent the TVC system in design reviews, technical checkpoints, customer briefings, and leadership updates.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in aerospace propulsion or flight control systems, with relevant experience owning subsystem development.
• Deep understanding of nozzle dynamics, actuation systems, mechanical integration, and structural/thermal constraints.
• Demonstrated experience in hardware development, test planning, and flight test support.
• Strong proficiency in Python for performance analysis, data processing, and model correlation.
• Familiarity with tools such as ANSYS, FEA, or thermal/fluid modeling for mechanism and system validation.
• U.S. Citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements.
• Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with TVC or control effector systems on UAVs, tactical aircraft, or rocket platforms.
• Familiarity with low-bypass turbofan engines and integration constraints near hot-end propulsion hardware.
• Experience collaborating on control logic development, transient response shaping, and actuator tuning.
• Proficiency with Siemens NX and Teamcenter for CAD and configuration control.
• Background in failure modes analysis, margin modeling, and system validation strategies.
• M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.

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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.

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.