Staff Engineer, Aerodynamics & Performance (R3499)
Shield AI
Dallas County, TX, USA
Posted on May 23, 2025
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent, autonomous systems. Its products include Hivemind Enterprise—EdgeOS, Pilot, Commander, and Forge—as well as V-BAT and Sentient Vision Systems (wide-area motion imaging software). With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., 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 and Instagram.
As an Aerodynamics & Performance Engineer, you will drive aircraft programs to success with aerodynamic design contributions, CFD analyses, aircraft performance modeling, wind tunnel testing, and flight test data analysis. Your expertise will be critical in ensuring that our aircraft achieve optimal aerodynamic efficiency, stability, and performance across a variety of operational conditions.
What You'll Do:
- Conduct aerodynamic and multi-disciplinary design and optimizations
- Build and run computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations
- Develop and implement aerodynamic performance models and tools to support design and flight operations.
- Support and lead wind tunnel test campaigns
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including structural engineers, propulsion engineers, and control systems engineers
- Analyze flight test data to validate and refine aerodynamic models and designs
Required Qualifications:
- Typically requires 7+ years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years with a Master’s degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience
- 5+ years of experience in aerodynamics on aircraft programs
- Solid understanding of aerodynamics fundamentals and first principles, with comfort using first-order techniques like handbook methods or vortex-lattice codes
- Familiarity with CFD software and techniques
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills
- Proven ability to deliver high-quality solutions in fast-paced, dynamic environments
Preferred Qualifications:
- Background in aircraft aerodynamics across a wide range of flow regimes, from low-subsonic to supersonic flight
- Software/tool development experience
- Experience leading wind tunnel tests
- Experience working in a fast-paced startup or R&D environment
- Lofting/surfacing experience (ideally NX)
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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.