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, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. 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.
We are seeking a highly skilled Propulsion Design Engineer to serve as a senior technical contributor within our propulsion team. This role focuses on the design, release, and continual improvement of mechanical components and assemblies for internal combustion and jet propulsion systems on UAV platforms.
As a design engineer, you’ll lead complex CAD efforts, enforce rigorous design standards, and collaborate directly with Responsible Engineers, technicians, machinists, and production teams to ensure our propulsion hardware is functional, manufacturable, and testable. You will be the cornerstone of configuration control, interface discipline, and design-for-execution within the team.
What You'll Do
Own the design of propulsion components and subsystems from concept through production release
Develop and maintain high-quality CAD models, detailed drawings, and assemblies using Siemens NX with fully applied GD&T
Write and enforce propulsion design standards and contribute to company-wide design best practices
Collaborate closely with the machine shop, production team, and technicians to support builds, resolve non-conformances, and drive iterative improvements
Develop initial work instructions, assembly guidance, and design documentation for repeatability and scalability
Ensure designs are practical, manufacturable, and cost-effective, with strong understanding of machining, tolerances, materials, and assembly workflows
Apply engineering analysis and judgment (e.g., hand calcs, GFSSP, ANSYS, FEA, REFPROP) to support sizing, load cases, and design validation
Support configuration management, BOM control, and change processes using Teamcenter or equivalent PLM
Participate in design reviews, interface control working groups, and root cause investigations
What You'll Bring
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
7+ years of experience in mechanical design for aerospace, with direct propulsion hardware experience preferred
Expert-level proficiency in CAD modeling and drawing creation (NX preferred) and application of GD&T
Proven ability to work cross-functionally with production, machine shop personnel, and technicians to solve real-time hardware issues
Familiarity with design for manufacturing, including machining processes, surface modeling, stack-up analysis, and fabrication limitations
Hands-on experience developing assembly work instructions, troubleshooting build issues, and implementing hardware-driven design changes
Experience with configuration management, PLM systems (Teamcenter), and BOM structure
U.S. Citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements; Ability to obtain Secret clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with GFSSP, REFPROP, ANSYS, FEA, or other mechanical and thermal analysis tools
Ability to write Python scripts for design automation, data analysis, or simulation support
Proficient in interface control and tolerance stack-up analysis for complex assemblies
Knowledge of fastening methods and joint design for high-vibration, aerospace environments
Familiarity with high-temperature materials and design practices for thermally stressed components
Prior experience designing hardware for internal combustion, turbine, or rocket propulsion systems, particularly in development or test environments
M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
