Description
Shield AI is seeking a highly skilled Propulsion Design Engineer to serve as a senior technical contributor within its 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 propulsion hardware is functional, manufacturable, and testable.
Responsibilities
- 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 a 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
Requirements
- 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
Additional Information
- Salary: USD 260,000-400,000 per-year-salary
- 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)