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Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.
The Role
Lead fuel system architecture, integration, testing, and operational support for a jet-powered UAV. Manage engineers and technicians working on tanks, pumps, valves, venting, pressurization, and sensors. Drive fluid/thermal trade studies, coordinate testing and instrumentation, support failure investigations, and align suppliers and schedules with program goals across propulsion, airframe, and manufacturing teams.
Summary Generated by Built In
Founded in 2015, 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 and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. 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 Manager of Propulsion to lead fuel system development and integration for the X-BAT vehicle, powered by a fighter-class, afterburning jet engine. This role oversees the architecture, integration, testing, and operational support of flight-critical fuel systems operating across demanding thermal environments, aggressive maneuvering conditions, and mission-critical operating profiles.
You will lead engineers and technicians responsible for fuel tanks, fuel delivery systems, venting, pressurization, level sensing, and associated propulsion fluid systems. This role requires deep technical understanding, strong execution leadership, and close coordination across propulsion, flight test, manufacturing, and vehicle integration teams.
What you'll do:
- Lead fuel system development activities from architecture through testing and flight operations.
- Support and mentor fuel system REs responsible for fuel tanks, pumps, valves, vent systems, and associated propulsion hardware.
- Drive system integration efforts considering elevated-G maneuvers, transient operation, vapor ingestion, cavitation, thermal effects, and fault tolerance.
- Guide teams through fuel system thermodynamic and fluid dynamic trade studies involving heat soak, vapor pressure behavior, venting, and transient flow response.
- Coordinate testing activities, instrumentation planning, and performance validation efforts.
- Support failure investigations, root cause analysis, and design iteration activities.
- Ensure schedules, technical execution, and supplier activities remain aligned with program goals.
- Collaborate closely with propulsion, airframe, mission systems, and manufacturing teams.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
- 7-10+ years of experience developing aerospace fuel or fluid systems.
- Strong understanding of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and aerospace propulsion fundamentals.
- Deep understanding of compressible and incompressible flow systems and aerospace fluid dynamics.
- Experience with fuel system integration, testing, and operational support.
- Experience leading engineering teams or major subsystem development activities.
- U.S. Citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with jet-powered UAVs, tactical aircraft, or aerospace fuel systems.
- Familiarity with GFSSP, REFPROP, ANSYS, or fluid system modeling tools.
- Experience with slosh dynamics, cavitation, vapor ingestion, venting, thermal management, and pressurization systems.
- Background in rocket propulsion fluid systems.
- Experience operating in test-driven aerospace development environments.
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or related discipline.
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
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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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline
- 7-10+ years of experience developing aerospace fuel or fluid systems
- Strong understanding of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and aerospace propulsion fundamentals
- Deep understanding of compressible and incompressible flow systems and aerospace fluid dynamics
- Experience with fuel system integration, testing, and operational support
- Experience leading engineering teams or major subsystem development activities
- U.S. Citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements
- Experience with jet-powered UAVs, tactical aircraft, or aerospace fuel systems
- Familiarity with GFSSP, REFPROP, ANSYS, or fluid system modeling tools
- Experience with slosh dynamics, cavitation, vapor ingestion, venting, thermal management, and pressurization systems
- Background in rocket propulsion fluid systems
- Experience operating in test-driven aerospace development environments
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or related discipline
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance
What the Team is Saying
Dylan
Lead Engineer, Planning and Controls-Motion
Mo
Lead Engineer, Platform Automation
Willy
Technical Director
Michael
Engineering Manager - State Estimation
Vibhav
Senior Staff Engineer
Kirby
Mechanical Engineer
Ryan
CEO
Evan
Senior Machine Learning Engineer
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage alongside a mental‑health EAP. Site perks such as an onsite gym in DC and a gym discount in San Diego support a health‑focused offering.
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Retirement Support — Careers materials highlight a 401(k) with company match as part of the standard package. A Total Rewards overview emphasizes retirement features within a broader, transparent compensation view.
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Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Compensation for in‑demand technical and senior go‑to‑market roles is described as competitive, with visible engineering ranges and top‑end packages. This points to meaningful upside tied to role, level, and scarce skills.
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The Company
What We Do
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.
Why Work With Us
What makes Shield AI special is our people. We unlock the power of autonomy, and in the face of overwhelming odds and challenges, we find ways to win and make a difference for our customers. We bring together software, AI, and aerospace engineering disciplines to deploy the most intelligent aviation capabilities in the world.
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Shield AI Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Typical time on-site:
3 days a week
