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Shield AI › Engineering

Senior Engineer, Air Vehicle Fluid Systems (R4891)

Shield AI · Seattle

Pay
$130K–$200K
From the posting
Posted
Apr 29, 2026
Tracked open for 104 days
Team
X-BAT Division
Full-time
Shield AI hiring
667 open roles
426 in engineering

What does $130K–$200K take home in Washington State? See after-tax pay →

Security clearance
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Typical engineering pay at Shield AI: $150K–$240K — median of 357 listed ranges.

Across all startups we track: $170K–$242K for engineering roles (8,046 listed ranges).

About the 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:

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Fluid Systems Engineer to support development of liquid cooling and hydraulic fluid 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 fluid systems.



 

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.
  • Demonstrated ability to execute design, build, test with rigor at speed
  • Strong CAD skills (NX preferred)
  • Demonstrated proficiency with fluid or 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
  • Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

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.

#LI-MS1
#LC

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. 

From Shield AI's careers page. First seen Jul 15, 2026, last verified Oct 25, 2026.

Shield AI hiring momentum

Open roles: 667, up 133 (+25%) over the last 30 days.

Jul 15, 2026 · 413Oct 25, 2026 · 667

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