Owns fluid-system layouts, thermal transport hardware, and mechanical installations for Group 5 UAV aircraft. Designs ram-air circuits, liquid cooling systems, ECS/TMS architecture, brackets, mounts, and supports. Performs fluid, thermal, structural, and tolerance analyses; develops CAD models and drawings; sources components; coordinates suppliers; and builds test setups. Delivers integrated, maintainable hardware in an accelerated aerospace development environment.
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.
As a Staff Fluid and Mechanical Systems Engineer, you will be a hands-on multi-disciplinary owner of fluid-system layouts, thermal transport hardware, and adjacent mechanical design for a Group 5 UAV fighter aircraft. You will apply first-principles engineering to develop ram-air circuits, liquid cooling systems, ECS/TMS fluid architecture, and supporting mechanical installations that are buildable, maintainable, and ready for vehicle integration. This position requires a balance of technical rigor, rapid decision-making, and hands-on engineering to efficiently transition concepts into operational capability. The ideal candidate is comfortable solving complex problems, taking ownership, working within an accelerated aircraft development environment, and is motivated by getting meaningful capability into the hands of operators quickly.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience: 6+ years of fluid systems design, thermal systems analysis, or mechanical systems installation experience in aerospace or a comparable regulated industry.
- Education: B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Core Fundamentals: Deep mastery of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, mechanical design fundamentals, and tolerance stack-up methodologies.
- Modeling and Analysis: Demonstrated capability with fluid system sizing and analysis, including pressure drop, flow networks, heat transfer, and 1D fluid or thermal system modeling.
- System Layout and Integration: Demonstrated ability to create fluid-system layouts and mechanical installations that satisfy routing, packaging, maintainability, structural-interface, and vehicle-integration requirements.
- CAD and PLM: Experience in 3D CAD modeling, routing, layouts, and drawing release with Siemens NX, CATIA, Creo, SolidWorks, or equivalent PLM workflows.
- Mechanical Design: Hands-on capability designing brackets, mounts, supports, and installation hardware using hand calculations, tolerance analysis, and basic structural analysis.
- Hardware and Supplier Execution: Proven track record sourcing COTS/custom aerospace components, driving suppliers to schedule, and assembling benchtop or vehicle-level test setups.
- Autonomy: Demonstrated ability to self-direct, prioritize technical tasks without oversight, and deliver functional hardware under tight timelines.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Aircraft ram-air, liquid cooling, hydraulic, fuel, or thermal transport loop design experience.
- ECS or thermal management system design and integration experience.
- Experience with electro-mechanical or electro-hydrostatic actuation systems and associated mechanical installations.
- Familiarity with MIL-STD-810, MIL-HDBK-516, and airworthiness verification planning for fluid and mechanical systems.
- Hands-on prototype-build, fabrication, or mechanical assembly experience in a rapid R&D environment.
- Eligible to obtain a Secret clearance.
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.
Similar Jobs at Shield AI
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software • Defense Technology
Co-op reliability engineering role supporting autonomous aircraft hardware validation. Responsibilities include environmental and stress testing, failure analysis, root cause investigations, reliability risk analysis, FMEA, design reviews, corrective actions, process improvements, and collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers. The role also involves Python-based data analysis, occasional travel, and ownership of a project under senior engineering mentorship.
Top Skills:
AltiumFmeaHaltHassKicadOscilloscopesPython
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software • Defense Technology
Design and develop structural components and assemblies for autonomous UAVs from concept through production release. Perform CAD modeling, hand stress calculations, limited FEA, drawing release, and structural validation. Collaborate with aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, payload, manufacturing, and flight-test teams. Support hardware integration, testing, failure analysis, design reviews, and resolution of build issues while ensuring aerospace standards, manufacturability, structural integrity, and system integration.
Top Skills:
AbaqusAnsysAsme Y14.5CatiaFaa StandardsFinite Element Analysis (Fea)Gd&TMil-StdNastranNxSolidworks
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software • Defense Technology
Develop, deploy, and maintain full-stack internal software tools for Shield AI teams. Collaborate with stakeholders to refine requirements, architect robust solutions, and deliver tools that improve team workflows. The role involves supporting a varied suite of applications, from aircraft physics analysis tools to ticket-tracking systems.
Top Skills:
Frontend FrameworksLinuxMicrosoft Sql ServerReactRustSQL
What you need to know about the Seattle Tech Scene
Home to tech titans like Microsoft and Amazon, Seattle punches far above its weight in innovation. But its surrounding mountains, sprinkled with world-famous hiking trails and climbing routes, make the city a destination for outdoorsy types as well. Established as a logging town before shifting to shipbuilding and logistics, the Emerald City is now known for its contributions to aerospace, software, biotech and cloud computing. And its status as a thriving tech ecosystem is attracting out-of-town companies looking to establish new tech and engineering hubs.
Key Facts About Seattle Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 287,000; 13% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, software, biotechnology, game development
- Funding Landscape: $3.1 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Madrona, Fuse, Tola, Maveron
- Research Centers and Universities: University of Washington, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, Allen Institute for Brain Science, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle Children’s Research Institute
