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Shield AI, a venture-backed defense-tech company, is seeking a Staff Engineer for Fluid and Mechanical Systems to support the Ranger (R6379) program. The company develops autonomy software (Hivemind), unmanned aircraft (V-BAT, X-BAT), and simulation technologies, with operations globally across the U.S., Europe, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
In this role, you will lead the design, analysis, and integration of complex fluid and mechanical systems for advanced aerospace platforms. You will own system architecture decisions, drive technical trade studies, and mentor junior engineers. Responsibilities include:
- Designing and analyzing fluid systems (thermal, hydraulic, fuel, cooling loops) using first-principles thermodynamics and fluid dynamics
- Performing pressure-drop analysis, flow-network modeling, heat-transfer calculations, and 1D system simulations
- Creating detailed system layouts and mechanical installations that meet routing, packaging, maintainability, structural, and vehicle-integration requirements
- Developing mechanical designs for brackets, mounts, supports, and installation hardware using hand calculations, tolerance stack-up, and structural analysis
- Sourcing and qualifying COTS and custom aerospace components; driving supplier schedules and quality
- Building and testing benchtop and vehicle-level prototypes in rapid R&D environments
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams (structures, avionics, manufacturing) to integrate fluid and mechanical systems into complete vehicles
- Ensuring compliance with aerospace standards (MIL-STD-810, MIL-HDBK-516) and airworthiness requirements
- Using advanced CAD (NX, CATIA, Creo, SolidWorks) and PLM workflows for design release and documentation
This is a full-time regular employee position offering base salary within a competitive range, bonus, benefits, and equity.
**REQUIREMENTS:**
- 6+ years of fluid systems design, thermal systems analysis, or mechanical systems installation in aerospace or comparable regulated industry
- B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical discipline
- Deep mastery of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, mechanical design fundamentals, and tolerance stack-up methodologies
- Demonstrated capability with fluid system sizing and analysis (pressure drop, flow networks, heat transfer, 1D modeling)
- Proven ability to create fluid-system layouts and mechanical installations meeting routing, packaging, maintainability, structural, and vehicle-integration requirements
- Hands-on experience with 3D CAD modeling, routing, layouts, and drawing release in Siemens NX, CATIA, Creo, SolidWorks, or equivalent PLM workflows
- Capability designing brackets, mounts, supports, and installation hardware using hand calculations, tolerance analysis, and basic structural analysis
- Proven track record sourcing COTS/custom aerospace components, driving suppliers to schedule, and assembling benchtop or vehicle-level test setups
- 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 rapid R&D environments
- Eligible to obtain a Secret clearance
