Senior Staff Propulsion Engineer (TVC) (X-BAT) (R4160)

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

We are seeking a Propulsion Engineer to serve as the Responsible Engineer (RE) for the Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system on X-BAT. This role demands full lifecycle ownership of the TVC system, from concept and architecture through design, integration, test, flight, and operational support.

You will serve as the focal point for all technical matters related to thrust vectoring, ensuring the system enables precise flight control authority, integrates cleanly with the engine and airframe, and performs reliably across the full range of operational conditions. This role is hands-on, data-driven, and highly cross-functional, requiring collaboration with controls, airframe, flight test, and mission teams.

What you'll do

Act as the single-threaded owner for the TVC system, accountable for all technical decisions from concept to flight.

Define and manage system requirements, performance goals, and mechanical/electrical interfaces.

Design and integrate vectoring mechanisms with the engine and surrounding structure.

Lead ground and flight testing of the TVC system, including instrumentation planning, data collection, and performance evaluation.

Analyze control authority, vectoring bandwidth, and dynamic response across the flight envelope.

Collaborate with the controls team to shape vectoring logic and ensure closed-loop system performance meets CONOPS requirements.

Own fault management, failure investigations, and system reliability strategies.

Represent the TVC system in design reviews, technical checkpoints, customer briefings, and leadership updates.

Required qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.

7+ years of experience in aerospace propulsion or flight control systems, with relevant experience owning subsystem development.

Deep understanding of nozzle dynamics, actuation systems, mechanical integration, and structural/thermal constraints.

Demonstrated experience in hardware development, test planning, and flight test support.

Strong proficiency in Python for performance analysis, data processing, and model correlation.

Familiarity with tools such as ANSYS, FEA, or thermal/fluid modeling for mechanism and system validation.

U.S. Citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements.

Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

Preferred qualifications

Experience with TVC or control effector systems on UAVs, tactical aircraft, or rocket platforms.

Familiarity with low-bypass turbofan engines and integration constraints near hot-end propulsion hardware.

Experience collaborating on control logic development, transient response shaping, and actuator tuning.

Proficiency with Siemens NX and Teamcenter for CAD and configuration control.

Background in failure modes analysis, margin modeling, and system validation strategies.

M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.