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Defense, Aerospace, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics

Senior Mechanical Engineer, Actuation & Fluid Systems (R4730)

Dallas, Texas, United StatesOnsiteFull TimeSenior$110,000–$160,000 /yrPosted 2 months agoVisa sponsorship availableHidden Gem · VC-Backed

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Role summary

Shield AI is seeking an Actuated and Fluid Systems Engineer to develop hydraulic and actuated systems for their X-BAT military UAV platform. The role involves designing components and fluid systems, managing suppliers, performing analysis and sizing, and owning various aspects of the hydraulics and actuation systems. Responsibilities include design, analysis, implementation, supplier engagement, testing, and requirements management within a fast-paced, cross-functional team environment. Experience with hydraulic components, CAD (NX preferred), hydraulic system analysis tools (Simscape, Amesim), and rigorous design-build-test execution is required. Preferred qualifications include experience with environmental robustness, testing campaigns, and reliability/safety methods.

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the 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: Shield AI is seeking a Actuated and Fluid Systems Engineer to support development of hydraulic and actuated systems for our groundbreaking jet-engine VTOL military UAV platform, X-BAT. You will design components and fluid systems, engage with suppliers, perform system and component analysis and sizing, and own multiple aspects of X-BAT’s hydraulics and actuation systems.

What you'll do:

  • Work with the engineering team to own design, analysis, and implementation of hydraulic and actuated system designs
  • Engage with and manage suppliers to establish component and system specifications, purchase COTS equipment, and support on-time delivery of your system(s) to the aircraft.
  • Design and execute tests to ensure component and system-level performance meets requirements
  • Own and manage lightweight system level requirements
  • Work with cross-functional stakeholders across the actuated systems group and the aircraft to ensure excellent implementation of your designs
  • Required qualifications:

  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent).
  • 5+ years experience with fluid or hydraulic system design, component design, system analysis, supplier management, requirements management, etc.
  • Working knowledge of hydraulic components (relief valves, pumps, reservoirs, accumulators, actuators, fluid control valves)
  • Demonstrated ability to execute design, build, test with rigor at speed
  • Strong CAD skills (NX preferred)
  • Demonstrated proficiency with hydraulic system analysis, including 1st principles, Simscape, Amesim, etc.
  • Ability to work independently in fast-paced, cross-functional teams
  • A demonstrated record of working hard, being trustworthy, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others
  • Preferred qualifications:

  • Experience with environmental and operational robustness (vibration/shock, thermal extremes, contamination, corrosion, sand/dust, etc.).
  • Experience supporting ground test and flight test campaigns and system checkout, failure investigations.
  • Familiarity with reliability and safety methods (DFMEA/FTA, fault containment, safe-state thinking) in collaboration with systems safety.
  • Ready to apply?
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