Senior Staff Engineer, Environmental Control Systems (RX) (R5905)
shieldai· RaptorX Engineering - Mechanical
About this role
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:
As a Senior Staff (L5) Environmental Control System (ECS) Engineer, you will take full technical ownership of the Environmental Control System architecture, analysis, design, and integration for a dedicated special access program. Serving as the sole ECS subject matter expert on this program, you will work from first principles to execute trades, size systems, design hardware, manage external suppliers, support proposals and capture, and deliver flight-ready hardware in a rapid-iteration development environment. This position requires a balance of technical rigor, rapid decision-making, and hands-on engineering to efficiently transition concepts into operational capability. The ideal candidate is comfortable solving complex problems, taking ownership, working within an accelerated aircraft development environment, and is motivated by getting meaningful capability into the hands of operators quickly.
What you'll do:
- Architecture and Trades: Lead ECS architecture definition and trade studies (e.g., vapor cycle vs. air cycle vs. passive/ram-air systems) to meet vehicle thermal, electrical, mass, and volume constraints.
- Aerothermal and Circuit Design: Design and analyze vehicle air inlets, scoops, ducting networks, and ram-air cooling circuits to ensure adequate flow across flight envelopes.
- Thermal and Fluid System Sizing: Perform first-principles thermodynamic and heat transfer hand calculations, backed by 1D fluid-thermal network modeling.
- Component Sourcing and Vendor Management: Author technical specifications and statements of work (SOW) for ECS hardware (heat exchangers, fans, valves, compressors, sensors), evaluate vendors, and drive supplier technical execution.
- Test and Validation: Define qualification and verification test plans, design test rigs, support instrumentation/DAQ setup, and execute test campaigns to validate performance against requirements.
- Flight Test and Troubleshooting: Process flight-test thermal and fluid data to identify discrepancies, resolve anomalies via root-cause investigation, and implement rapid design changes.
Required qualifications:
- Clearance required: US Citizens Only & Must have an Active Secret or higher clearance.
- Experience: 8 to 15 years of direct experience in aerospace Environmental Control System and vehicle thermal/fluid system development.
- Education: B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Core Fundamentals: Deep mastery of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer applied to aircraft or defense systems.
- Modeling and Analysis: Demonstrated capability with 1D system modeling (e.g., Amesim, Flowmaster, or Python/MATLAB fluid networks) and ability to size systems from inlets to ram circuits to liquid cooling systems, air cooling systems, and more.
- CAD and PLM: Experience in 3D CAD modeling, routing, and drawing release (Siemens NX preferred, or equivalent like CATIA/Creo) with PLM workflows.
- Hardware and Supplier Execution: Proven track record sourcing COTS/custom aerospace components, driving suppliers to schedule, and assembling benchtop or vehicle-level test setups.
- Autonomy: Demonstrated ability to self-direct, prioritize technical tasks without oversight, and deliver functional hardware under tight timelines.
Preferred qualifications:
- Familiarity with aerospace environmental requirements and test standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810, MIL-HDBK-310, RTCA DO-160, SAE AIR/ARP standards).
#LI-MS2
#LE
Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary 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. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the Senior Staff Engineer, Environmental Control Systems (RX) (R5905) role at shieldai?
The listed salary for this Senior Staff Engineer, Environmental Control Systems (RX) (R5905) position at shieldai is USD 181K–271K. This is an Full Time Employee role.
Where is the Senior Staff Engineer, Environmental Control Systems (RX) (R5905) position at shieldai located?
This Senior Staff Engineer, Environmental Control Systems (RX) (R5905) role at shieldai is based in Dallas, Texas, Washington, D.C.. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the Senior Staff Engineer, Environmental Control Systems (RX) (R5905) role at shieldai full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a Full Time Employee position. It is posted as a Senior Staff Engineer, Environmental Control Systems (RX) (R5905) role in the RaptorX Engineering - Mechanical department at shieldai.
Which team or department does the Senior Staff Engineer, Environmental Control Systems (RX) (R5905) at shieldai belong to?
This Senior Staff Engineer, Environmental Control Systems (RX) (R5905) position is part of the RaptorX Engineering - Mechanical department at shieldai. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Senior Staff Engineer, Environmental Control Systems (RX) (R5905) position at shieldai?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to shieldai's official application portal hosted on lever where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Senior Staff Engineer, Environmental Control Systems (RX) (R5905) job at shieldai posted?
This Senior Staff Engineer, Environmental Control Systems (RX) (R5905) position at shieldai was posted on Sep 22, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Senior Staff Engineer, Environmental Control Systems (RX) (R5905)
shieldai · 💰 USD 181K–271K
You'll be redirected to shieldai's official application page on Lever.