Principal Propulsion Design Engineer
Shield AI
What you will do in this role:
- Serve as mechanical design lead for all propulsion hardware and subsystem components on the next-gen platform
- Architect and deliver fully detailed 3D models, assemblies, and 2D manufacturing drawings using Creo or NX, applying GD&T to aerospace standards
- Lead design of engine mounts, ducts, inlets, exhausts, isolation brackets, fuel routing hardware, and propulsion housing structures
- Ensure mechanical compatibility across propulsion, thermal, and structural interfaces while optimizing for weight, manufacturability, and endurance
- Guide development of Interface Control Documents (ICDs), Bills of Materials (BOMs), and configuration control processes for propulsion hardware
- Collaborate with analysts to ensure hardware is robust to thermal, vibrational, and dynamic loads expected in flight
- Interface with manufacturing and supply chain teams to support prototyping, production-readiness, and vendor coordination
- Mentor a growing team of mechanical and propulsion-focused designers, setting standards for quality and reliability
- Present design decisions at formal and informal reviews, advocating for practical, mission-aligned solutions
- Lead root-cause investigations and iterative redesign efforts based on test and flight feedback
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
- 15+ years of mechanical design experience with aerospace hardware, ideally propulsion-related
- Expert-level proficiency with Creo or NX for complex, tolerance-critical design work
- Strong knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-up, lightweight structural design, and aerospace materials
- Proven experience designing and releasing flight-critical hardware, especially in propulsion environments (e.g., high-temp, high-vibration, confined volumes)
- Familiarity with thermal, vibrational, and shock environments typical of aircraft propulsion systems
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate across disciplines, lead design reviews, and influence system architecture
- Excellent documentation, presentation, and technical leadership skills
Preferred qualifications:
- MS in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Design
- Experience with jet engine integration, UAV propulsion systems, or missile/aero-vehicle hardware
- Familiarity with AS9100, MIL-STD, or DO-160 requirements for aerospace hardware
- Exposure to FEA workflows (thermal and structural), rapid prototyping, and test-validated hardware loops
- Experience leading supplier design engagements or managing design-to-manufacture transitions
- Active or previous DoD clearance (not required)