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Principal Propulsion Engineer

Shield AI
Full-time
On-site
Dallas Metro Area, Texas, United States
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Boston, 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, YouTubeand Instagram.     

Job Description:

The ideal candidate has deep experience across the entire engine lifecycle and can spot risks before they become issues, uncover design weaknesses before they surface in test, and lead the team through rapid, high-confidence resolution of complex propulsion challenges. You should bring technical mastery, planning foresight, and system-level awareness that raises the bar for engine ownership across the organization.

What you will do in this role:

    • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engine REs across concept development, design, test, and flight.
    • Guide teams through system-level tradeoffs, performance margin closure, and mission-readiness validation.
    • Anticipate integration, control, or operability risks before they materialize, and shape mitigation strategies.
    • Drive and facilitate root cause investigations for engine-related anomalies and failures.
    • Review and challenge engine designs, control strategies, instrumentation plans, and data interpretation.
    • Help shape the long-term technical roadmap for engine capability, test maturity, and team development.
    • Influence engineering processes, best practices, and team alignment across propulsion and vehicle-level teams.
    • Act as a trusted voice in design reviews, leadership strategy sessions, and customer technical engagements.

Required qualifications:

    • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
    • 15+ years of experience in jet engine development, test, and integration.
    • Demonstrated mastery of all responsibilities and qualifications expected of less senior Propulsion Engineers, including full lifecycle engine ownership.
    • Deep experience with engine performance modeling, transient behavior, test planning, and instrumentation.
    • Proven ability to lead teams through failure analysis, root cause, and corrective action at the system level.
    • Strong command of aerospace propulsion fundamentals, engine/airframe integration, and mission-level performance impact.
    • Proficiency in Python or similar for data analysis, automation, and performance modeling.
    • U.S. Citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements.

Preferred qualifications:

    • Experience with low-bypass turbofan engines for UAVs, tactical aircraft, or similar aerospace platforms.
    • Familiarity with GFSSP, REFPROP, ANSYS, or FEA for thermal, fluid, or structural modeling.
    • Background in rocket propulsion, especially in turbomachinery, controls, or test-intensive environments.
    • Experience developing or enforcing engineering standards, team processes, and integration frameworks.
    • M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
$198,046 - $297,068 a year
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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. 
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