Senior Staff Engineer, Environmental Control Systems - Ranger (R6350)
About The Position
Shield AI is hiring a Senior Staff (L5) Environmental Control System (ECS) Engineer to take full technical ownership of ECS architecture, analysis, design, and integration for a dedicated special access program. As the program’s sole ECS subject matter expert, the engineer will work from first principles to perform trade studies, size systems, design hardware, manage suppliers, support proposals and capture, and deliver flight-ready hardware in a rapid-iteration development environment. The role calls for technical rigor, rapid decision-making, hands-on engineering, independent ownership, and the ability to transition concepts into operational capability in an accelerated aircraft development environment.
Requirements
- 7 to 12 years of direct experience in aerospace Environmental Control System and vehicle thermal/fluid system development.
- B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Deep mastery of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer applied to aircraft or defense systems.
- Demonstrated capability with 1D system modeling, such as Amesim, Flowmaster, or Python/MATLAB fluid networks.
- Ability to size systems from inlets and ram circuits through liquid-cooling and air-cooling systems.
- Experience in 3D CAD modeling, routing, and drawing release, with PLM workflows.
- Proven experience sourcing COTS or custom aerospace components, driving suppliers to schedule, and assembling benchtop or vehicle-level test setups.
- Ability to self-direct, prioritize technical tasks without oversight, and deliver functional hardware under tight timelines.
- Eligible for clearance.
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with aerospace environmental requirements and test standards, such as MIL-STD-810, MIL-HDBK-310, RTCA DO-160, and SAE AIR/ARP standards.
- Experience with Siemens NX, or equivalent CAD software such as CATIA or Creo.
Responsibilities
- Lead ECS architecture definition and trade studies, including evaluating vapor-cycle, air-cycle, and passive or ram-air systems against vehicle thermal, electrical, mass, and volume constraints.
- Design and analyze vehicle air inlets, scoops, ducting networks, and ram-air cooling circuits to ensure adequate flow across flight envelopes.
- Perform first-principles thermodynamic and heat-transfer calculations, supported by 1D fluid-thermal network modeling.
- Write technical specifications and statements of work for ECS hardware, evaluate vendors, and manage supplier technical execution.
- Define qualification and verification test plans, design test rigs, support instrumentation and data-acquisition setup, and execute test campaigns.
- Process flight-test thermal and fluid data, investigate discrepancies and root causes, and implement rapid design changes.
- Support proposals and capture and deliver flight-ready hardware.
Benefits
- Bonus
- Benefits
- Equity
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
