Senior Engineer, Air Vehicle Fluid Systems (R5203)

Shield AI

Dallas, Texas on site Until 8/23/2026 5+ years exp H-1B sponsor history First posted June 17, 2026 Last posted June 17, 2026

Job 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 www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description:

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Fluid Systems Engineer to support development and flight test of of liquid cooling and thermal management systems for our groundbreaking jet-engine VTOL military UAV platform, X-BAT. You will design components and fluid systems, engage with suppliers, perform system and component analysis and sizing, and own multiple aspects of X-BAT’s fluid systems. You may also travel to support flight test operations in the control room out of Shield AI’s Newton, KS test site during Shield AI’s flight test campaigns.

Required qualifications:

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent).
5+ years experience with environmental control systems, liquid cooling systems, thermal systems, component design, system analysis, supplier management, requirements management, etc.
Demonstrated ability to execute design, build, and test with rigor at speed
Strong CAD skills (NX preferred)
Demonstrated proficiency with fluid system analysis, including 1st principles, Simscape, Amesim, etc.
Ability to work independently in fast-paced, cross-functional teams
A demonstrated record of working hard, being trustworthy, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others

Preferred qualifications:

Experience with environmental and operational robustness (vibration/shock, thermal extremes, contamination, corrosion, sand/dust, etc.).
Experience supporting ground test and flight test campaigns and system checkout, failure investigations.
Familiarity with reliability and safety methods (DFMEA/FTA, fault containment, safe-state thinking) in collaboration with systems safety.
Familiarity with fighter-class and larger aircraft flight test operations, control room operations, radio communication procedures, and test data processing and presentation.

#LI-MS1

#LC

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.

###

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.

Compensation (from employer):
112439–168659 USD per year

About this role

Summary

Design and develop fluid and thermal systems for VTOL UAVs, support testing and analysis.

Job title

Senior Engineer, Air Vehicle Fluid Systems (R5203)

Experience level

5+ years

Minimum experience

5+ years exp

Industry

defense-tech

Location requirements

Dallas, Texas, on-site with travel for flight tests

Salary

$112k–$169k

Visa sponsorship

H-1B sponsor history

Management role

Skills & keywords

Required skills

system analysisfluid system analysisCADNXSimscapeAmesim

Preferred skills

vibrationshockthermal extremescontaminationcorrosionreliabilitysafety methodsflight test operations

Specializations

fluid systemsthermal managementsystem analysiscomponent designsupplier management

Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Dallas, TX, USA

On-site City