Senior Propulsion Engineer
| Company | Shield AI |
|---|---|
| Location | Dallas, TX, USA |
| Salary | $114989 – $172483 |
| Type | Full-Time |
| Degrees | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD |
| Experience Level | Senior, Expert or higher |
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
- 8+ years of experience in propulsion system development, preferably for aerospace or UAVs
- Background in gas turbine propulsion, engine performance modeling, or system-level propulsion integration
- Experience using tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Thermal Desktop, NPSS, or similar for analytical modeling
- Strong system-level thinking with an ability to translate vehicle goals into propulsion architecture
- Familiarity with CAD (e.g., Creo, NX) and ability to work closely with hardware designers
- Hands-on experience with propulsion hardware testing, data interpretation, and root cause analysis
- Excellent technical communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
Responsibilities
- Lead the conceptual design and system architecture of a jet propulsion system for an unmanned aircraft
- Define key performance targets and constraints related to thrust, fuel consumption, heat rejection, and vibration
- Develop and analyze propulsion system requirements, control strategies, and failure modes
- Collaborate with the fuel, thermal, fluids, and mechanical design teams to ensure tight subsystem integration
- Evaluate and down select hardware (turbine engines, pumps, sensors, mounts, isolation systems) through trade studies and supplier engagement
- Conduct analytical modeling using MATLAB/Simulink, NPSS, and Thermal Desktop for system behavior under various flight regimes
- Author technical documents including requirements, FMEA, validation plans, and performance specs
- Participate in vehicle design reviews and lead propulsion-specific working groups
- Partner with test engineers to support prototype rig build-out, instrumentation plans, and performance validation
- Help transition propulsion designs from R&D to prototype and eventually to low-rate production
Preferred Qualifications
- MS or PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
- Experience on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or fast-cycle defense aircraft development programs
- Familiarity with engine controls, embedded sensors, and thermal management
- Exposure to MIL-STD testing, DO-160, or qualification of flight-critical propulsion components
- Understanding of fuel system and thermal coupling
- Active or previous DoD clearance (not required)