Aerodynamics & Performance Engineer @ Shield AI

Salary Range: 93717 to 140576 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

Introduction to Shield AI

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company whose mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. In pursuit of this mission, Shield AI is building the world’s best AI pilot. Its AI pilot, Hivemind, has flown a fighter jet (F-16), a vertical takeoff and landing drone (V-BAT), and a quadcopter (Nova). The company has offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington DC and abroad. Shield AI’s products and people are currently in the field actively supporting operations with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. allies.

Shield AI’s mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Shield AI is a fast growing, venture-backed defense-technology company built around a team of proven executives, distinguished warfighters, and world-class AI engineers. Since 2018, Shield AI’s products and people have supported operations around the world with the US Department of Defense and our allies. Most recently, we acquired Heron Systems and Martin UAV as wholly owned subsidiaries of Shield AI. Join our team and shape the future of artificially intelligent systems.

The Aerodynamics and Performance team focuses on researching and developing state-of-the-art, high-performance vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. As an aerodynamics engineer, you’ll work on an agile team grounded in first principles to push the boundaries of the state-of-the-art.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Design and develop new aircraft configurations to meet mission performance objectives
Analyze aerodynamic performance across a large array of air vehicle designs via CAD, low fidelity tools, CFD, ground test, wind tunnel test, and flight test experiments
Generate structural loads including lift and drag distributions for wings, propellers, control surfaces and other aerodynamic surfaces
Collaborate with and present findings to other internal functional teams and program-based teams
Develop and operate vehicle performance tools

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited University
Experience partnering with a multidisciplinary engineering team, including mechanical, electrical, propulsion, software, and AI disciplines
Solid understanding of aerodynamic fundamentals, CFD techniques, wind tunnel testing, and flight testing
Experience with aerodynamic tools and techniques, e.g. vortex-lattice, panel-method, etc.
Experience with commercial and government CFD software tools
Experience with Matlab or Python for data analysis
Familiarity with translating aerodynamic analyses into workable design solutions for flight vehicles
Familiarity with lofting/surfacing tools in Solidworks (or equivalent CAD software tools) for generating water-tight geometries
Demonstrated track record of assuming ownership over processes and delivering outstanding outcomes
Proven track record of successfully shipping products, showcasing the ability to navigate through development cycles, overcome obstacles, and deliver high-quality solutions to meet project deadlines and exceed client expectations in a fast-paced environment
Proactively identify opportunities for improvement within software development projects, demonstrating initiative to propose and implement innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, quality, and overall project success and V-Bat reliability
Demonstrated adaptability, agility, and the ability to innovate under pressure to meet dynamic project demands and drive successful outcomes.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience with Pointwise, Tecplot, commercial, and government CFD solvers
Experience with aeroacoustics analysis
Experience with airfoil design
Experience with wind tunnel testing
Experience with aeroelasticity and flutter analysis
Proven background in thriving within fast-paced environments, particularly within startup or R&D settings

#LB

#LI-AC1 

Total package details:

Regular employee positions: Salary within range listed above + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee positions: Hourly within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

*Interns/Military Fellows/Part-time not eligible for bonus, benefits or equity

Actual 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.

If you’re interested in being part of our team, apply now!

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 Overview

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

6 month growth

1 year growth

2 year growth

Benefits