Senior Fuel Systems Engineer
Shield AI
What you will do in this role:
- Architect and design early-stage fuel storage, pressurization, and delivery systems for a next-gen turbine-powered UAV platform
- Define system-level requirements and performance targets for propulsion-related fluid systems
- Model flow paths, pressure dynamics, and thermal behavior using tools like Simulink, MATLAB, and Thermal Desktop
- Perform concept trade studies on pump configurations, tank placements, material selection, and routing
- Lead the development of prototypes, component-level hardware, and test rigs to validate concepts
- Collaborate with structural, thermal, and propulsion design engineers to ensure seamless integration of fuel systems within constrained packaging volumes
- Write detailed engineering documentation including block diagrams, FMEA, design justifications, and test plans
- Support in-house and vendor-led development of valves, pumps, sensors, and fittings with flight-critical reliability
- Present design concepts and tradeoffs to technical leadership for fast-paced design reviews
- Work closely with test engineering to define instrumentation strategy and support ground/flight test analysis
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
- 8+ years of experience working on aerospace fuel systems, turbomachinery fluids, or propulsion support systems
- Experience designing or developing fuel tanks, pumps, regulators, pressure vessels, or thermal conditioning systems
- Hands-on experience with CAD tools (e.g., Creo, NX) and ability to collaborate on packaging and installation
- Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink, Thermal Desktop, and/or ANSYS for thermal-fluid modeling
- Strong understanding of aerospace-grade components, fittings, lines, safety factors, and failure modes
- Able to lead concept through prototype phases with limited requirements and high autonomy
- Excellent communication and documentation skills — thrives in a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary environment
Preferred qualifications:
- Master's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering field
- Experience with DoD programs or working on UAVs / Group 3–5 platforms
- Experience with flight-critical MIL-STD-810G, DO-160, or NASA propulsion specs
- Familiarity with AIr- or gas-turbine-based propulsion systems
- Active or previous DoD security clearance