Principal Fluid 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 next-generation autonomous aircraft for complex, GPS-denied missions. As a Principal Fluid Systems Engineer on the next-gen UAV program, you will serve as the domain lead for all fluid-handling systems — from fuel and air delivery to thermal transport and pressure regulation.

This is a foundational leadership role in a clean-sheet aircraft program. You will architect and drive the development of high-reliability fluid systems across propulsion and airframe subsystems. Your responsibilities will span early R&D modeling, hardware integration, and cross-disciplinary system optimization. You’ll be the technical authority on flow physics, system coupling, and validation in one of the most complex areas of UAV design.

We’re looking for a high-level fluid systems expert with a deep background in simulation, design, and leadership — someone who’s ready to own full lifecycle system development and shape a platform from concept to field deployment.

• Serve as the technical owner of all fluid systems on the next-gen platform, including fuel, air, thermal loops, cryogenic flows, and hydraulic actuation
• Architect and model fluid systems from first principles, balancing tradeoffs in flow rate, pressure drop, temperature, and integration complexity
• Lead the development of system-level models and simulations using ANSYS Fluent, CFX, Thermal Desktop, and MATLAB/Simulink
• Define and validate component specifications for pumps, valves, tanks, regulators, ducts, and routing
• Collaborate with propulsion, thermal, and mechanical teams to optimize system coupling and packaging
• Lead design reviews, FMEAs, and test planning, with an eye toward robustness, maintainability, and performance under flight loads
• Mentor and guide other fluid and thermal engineers, establishing engineering best practices and advancing internal capability
• Interface with suppliers and manufacturing partners for component design, fabrication, and testing
• Create and maintain comprehensive engineering documentation including schematics, models, interface control drawings (ICDs), and analysis reports
• Drive the long-term vision for fluid systems across platform variants, upgrades, and future aircraft generations

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• 15+ years of experience in aerospace fluid systems, thermal/fluid design, or propulsion-related subsystems
• Extensive experience with CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, CFX, STAR-CCM+), thermal/fluid system modeling, and simulation of dynamic/transient behavior
• Proven ownership of complex fluid-handling systems in aerospace, defense, or comparable high-reliability environments
• Strong understanding of compressible and incompressible flows, thermal coupling, multiphase flow behavior, and environmental effects
• Familiarity with thermal-fluid interaction, flight qualification, and high-altitude operating conditions
• Hands-on experience with prototyping, test rig development, and system validation
• Excellent documentation, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills

• PhD or MS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with a focus on fluid mechanics or thermodynamics
• Background in UAV, jet propulsion, or autonomous aircraft development
• Familiarity with MIL-STD, DO-160, or aerospace validation standards
• Experience with integration into AI-controlled or semi-autonomous platforms
• Active or previous 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.