Principal Propulsion Engineer (R6453)

Shield AI•Seattle, WA

16d

About The Position

Shield AI is seeking a highly skilled propulsion design engineer to serve as a senior technical contributor on its propulsion team. The role focuses on designing, releasing, and continually improving mechanical components and assemblies for internal combustion and jet propulsion systems on UAV platforms. The engineer will lead complex CAD efforts, uphold rigorous design standards, and work directly with Responsible Engineers, technicians, machinists, and production teams to ensure propulsion hardware is functional, manufacturable, and testable. The role is central to configuration control, interface discipline, and design for execution. The engineer will own propulsion component and subsystem design from concept through production release; create and maintain CAD models, detailed drawings, and assemblies; and contribute to design standards and best practices. The position also supports manufacturing and production builds, documentation and work instructions, engineering analysis and validation, configuration management, design reviews, and root cause investigations. The full-time regular employee offer package includes pay within the listed range, bonus, benefits, and equity. Salary compensation depends on factors including skills, experience, licenses and certifications, and work location. Offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
7+ years of experience in mechanical design for aerospace; direct propulsion hardware experience is preferred.
Expert-level proficiency in CAD modeling and drawing creation (NX preferred) and application of GD&T.
Proven ability to work cross-functionally with production, machine shop personnel, and technicians to solve real-time hardware issues.
Familiarity with design for manufacturing, including machining processes, surface modeling, stack-up analysis, and fabrication limitations.
Hands-on experience developing assembly work instructions, troubleshooting build issues, and implementing hardware-driven design changes.
Experience with configuration management, PLM systems such as Teamcenter, and BOM structure.
U.S. citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements.
Ability to obtain Secret clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience with GFSSP, REFPROP, ANSYS, FEA, or other mechanical and thermal analysis tools.
Ability to write Python scripts for design automation, data analysis, or simulation support.
Proficiency in interface control and tolerance stack-up analysis for complex assemblies.
Knowledge of fastening methods and joint design for high-vibration aerospace environments.
Familiarity with high-temperature materials and design practices for thermally stressed components.
Prior experience designing hardware for internal combustion, turbine, or rocket propulsion systems, particularly in development or test environments.
M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Responsibilities

Own the design of propulsion components and subsystems from concept through production release.
Develop and maintain high-quality CAD models, detailed drawings, and assemblies using Siemens NX with fully applied GD&T.
Write and enforce propulsion design standards and contribute to company-wide design best practices.
Collaborate with the machine shop, production team, and technicians to support builds, resolve non-conformances, and drive iterative improvements.
Develop initial work instructions, assembly guidance, and design documentation for repeatability and scalability.
Ensure designs are practical, manufacturable, and cost-effective, applying knowledge of machining, tolerances, materials, and assembly workflows.
Apply engineering analysis and judgment, such as hand calculations, GFSSP, ANSYS, FEA, and REFPROP, to support sizing, load cases, and design validation.
Support configuration management, BOM control, and change processes using Teamcenter or equivalent PLM.
Participate in design reviews, interface control working groups, and root cause investigations.