Senior Fluids Systems Engineer

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent, autonomous systems. Its products include Hivemind Enterprise—EdgeOS, Pilot, Commander, and Forge—as well as V-BAT and Sentient Vision Systems (wide-area motion imaging software). With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI’s technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide.  For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X and Instagram.    

Job Description:

Shield AI is developing the most advanced AI pilot in the world to enable teams of autonomous aircraft to operate in contested environments. As a Senior Fluid Systems Engineer on the Group 5 UAV program, you’ll take the lead on the design and analysis of flight-critical fluid systems supporting propulsion, thermal regulation, and environmental control.

This role sits at the earliest stages of our new Group 5 platform. You'll focus on high-fidelity fluid modeling, architecture design, and prototype validation to build robust systems that enable reliable autonomous operations at scale. You’ll own the technical direction for complex internal and external flow systems across propulsion and airframe applications.

We’re looking for someone with deep fluids expertise, an experimental mindset, and a desire to push technical boundaries in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

• Lead R&D and design of fluid transport systems including pumps, lines, valves, tanks, ducts, and nozzles

• Develop fluid subsystem architecture for fuel, cooling, airflow, and pressure management across the vehicle

• Run detailed simulations using MATLAB/Simulink, Thermal Desktop, and ANSYS Fluent or CFX to predict system performance under varying operating conditions

• Conduct trade studies across flow paths, pressure drop optimization, thermal loads, and packaging constraints

• Develop and iterate on component-level and integrated test plans, including instrumentation requirements

• Work with propulsion, mechanical, and thermal engineers to ensure tight integration of fluid systems into the vehicle design

• Support hardware prototyping and test rig development, with hands-on validation and root cause analysis

• Author detailed design documentation: requirements, FMEAs, test procedures, and interface control drawings

• Serve as technical mentor for early-career engineers and provide domain leadership within the propulsion fluids group

• Present engineering work at internal reviews, contribute to cross-functional design decisions, and influence Group 5 architecture

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field

• 8+ years of experience designing and analyzing aerospace or automotive fluid systems

• Expertise in compressible and incompressible flows, fluid-thermal interaction, and flow stability

• Deep familiarity with ANSYS Fluent, CFX, or STAR-CCM+, as well as MATLAB/Simulink and Thermal Desktop

• Hands-on experience with fluid subsystem design, packaging, and integration

• Strong grasp of aerospace fluid dynamics, component-level design (valves, pumps, ducts), and materials selection

• Demonstrated ability to lead designs from R&D through prototype and integration

• Excellent documentation and cross-functional collaboration skills

• Master’s or PhD in Fluid Mechanics, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering

• Experience on UAV platforms, high-performance aircraft, or advanced propulsion systems

• Background in multiphysics modeling, transient behavior, and dynamic system coupling

• Familiarity with MIL-STD, DO-160, or related aerospace validation standards

• Prior involvement in system-level integration efforts, especially with propulsion and thermal teams

• Active or prior DoD clearance (not required)

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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.

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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.