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Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.
The Role
Owner of the Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system for X-BAT, leading requirements, design, integration, testing, flight support, and reliability. Collaborate with controls, airframe, and flight-test teams to ensure vectoring performance, analyze control authority and dynamics, manage interfaces, and lead failure investigations and system validation across the flight envelope.
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.
Job Description:
We are seeking a Propulsion Engineer to serve as the Responsible Engineer (RE) for the Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system on X-BAT. This role demands full lifecycle ownership of the TVC system, from concept and architecture through design, integration, test, flight, and operational support.
You will serve as the focal point for all technical matters related to thrust vectoring, ensuring the system enables precise flight control authority, integrates cleanly with the engine and airframe, and performs reliably across the full range of operational conditions. This role is hands-on, data-driven, and highly cross-functional, requiring collaboration with controls, airframe, flight test, and mission teams.
What you'll do:
- Act as the single-threaded owner for the TVC system, accountable for all technical decisions from concept to flight.
- Define and manage system requirements, performance goals, and mechanical/electrical interfaces.
- Design and integrate vectoring mechanisms with the engine and surrounding structure.
- Lead ground and flight testing of the TVC system, including instrumentation planning, data collection, and performance evaluation.
- Analyze control authority, vectoring bandwidth, and dynamic response across the flight envelope.
- Collaborate with the controls team to shape vectoring logic and ensure closed-loop system performance meets CONOPS requirements.
- Own fault management, failure investigations, and system reliability strategies.
- Represent the TVC system in design reviews, technical checkpoints, customer briefings, and leadership updates.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- 7+ years of experience in aerospace propulsion or flight control systems, with relevant experience owning subsystem development.
- Deep understanding of nozzle dynamics, actuation systems, mechanical integration, and structural/thermal constraints.
- Demonstrated experience in hardware development, test planning, and flight test support.
- Strong proficiency in Python for performance analysis, data processing, and model correlation.
- Familiarity with tools such as ANSYS, FEA, or thermal/fluid modeling for mechanism and system validation.
- U.S. Citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements.
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with TVC or control effector systems on UAVs, tactical aircraft, or rocket platforms.
- Familiarity with low-bypass turbofan engines and integration constraints near hot-end propulsion hardware.
- Experience collaborating on control logic development, transient response shaping, and actuator tuning.
- Proficiency with Siemens NX and Teamcenter for CAD and configuration control.
- Background in failure modes analysis, margin modeling, and system validation strategies.
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.
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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 discipline
- 7+ years of experience in aerospace propulsion or flight control systems with subsystem ownership
- Deep understanding of nozzle dynamics, actuation systems, mechanical integration, and structural/thermal constraints
- Demonstrated experience in hardware development, test planning, and flight test support
- Strong proficiency in Python for performance analysis, data processing, and model correlation
- Familiarity with tools such as ANSYS, FEA, or thermal/fluid modeling for mechanism and system validation
- U.S. Citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance
- Experience with TVC or control effector systems on UAVs, tactical aircraft, or rocket platforms
- Familiarity with low-bypass turbofan engines and integration near hot-end propulsion hardware
- Experience collaborating on control logic development, transient response shaping, and actuator tuning
- Proficiency with Siemens NX and Teamcenter for CAD and configuration control
- Background in failure modes analysis, margin modeling, and system validation strategies
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or related discipline
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
