Senior Propulsion Design Engineer (R4641)
- Compensation
- $130K–$200K / yr
- Location
- Seattle, Washington
- Work setup
- Onsite
- Seniority
- Senior
- Employment
- Part time
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Category
- Engineering design
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- 5+ years of experience in aerospace hardware design, preferably supporting propulsion systems.
- Proficiency in CAD modeling and drawing creation (NX preferred) with sound application of GD&T.
- Experience working directly with production, technicians, and machine shops to resolve real-world build issues.
- Understanding of design for manufacturing, including machining limitations, tolerance stack-ups, and assembly workflows.
- Some hands-on experience developing assembly guidance and supporting hardware builds and test integration.
- U.S. Citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements.
- Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Nice to have
- Experience with jet propulsion systems on UAVs or tactical aircraft.
- Familiarity with GFSSP, REFPROP, ANSYS, or FEA to support design trade studies and validation.
- Ability to write Python scripts for design automation, analysis, or data processing.
- Experience with interface control, fastener selection for high-vibration environments, and high-temperature materials.
- Experience designing hardware in test-driven development environments with rapid iteration cycles.
- M.S. in Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.
Full description
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, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. 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 . Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Job Description:
We are seeking a Senior Propulsion Design Engineer to support the development and delivery of propulsion hardware for the X-BAT platform, a next-generation UAV powered by a low-bypass turbofan engine. This role spans the full lifecycle of propulsion system components - from early layout and design through production release, test support, and flight operations.
You will be a key contributor to turning propulsion architecture into manufacturable, testable, and flight-ready hardware across the engine, fuel, oil, and bleed air systems. This role is hands-on, detail-oriented, and highly cross-functional - requiring close collaboration with propulsion REs, technicians, machinists, production, controls, airframe, and flight test teams.
What you will do in this role:
- Own the design and release of propulsion hardware supporting the engine, fuel, oil, and bleed air systems.
- Develop and maintain CAD models, drawings, and assemblies using Siemens NX with proper GD&T.
- Translate propulsion architecture and requirements into hardware that is manufacturable, testable, and robust in flight.
- Work directly with the machine shop, production, and technicians to support builds, resolve non-conformances, and drive iterative improvements.
- Support test campaigns by providing hardware design support, instrumentation accommodation, and rapid iteration based on test findings.
- Apply engineering judgment and analysis (e.g., hand calcs, ANSYS, FEA, GFSSP, 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 efforts, and root cause investigations related to propulsion hardware.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- 5+ years of experience in aerospace hardware design, preferably supporting propulsion systems.
- Proficiency in CAD modeling and drawing creation (NX preferred) with sound application of GD&T.