Principal Engineer, Fluid & Thermal Systems

About the role

The Staff Fluid & Thermal Systems Engineer owns the full lifecycle management of thermal and fluid dynamic challenges for Shield AI's diverse vehicle portfolio. This role defines and executes the thermal strategy to ensure critical electronics consistently operate within strict temperature limits across demanding operational environments. The position requires leadership in both technical execution and cross-functional coordination, guiding concepts from initial requirements gathering through detailed design to production-ready solutions. You will design airflow pathways around densely packed electronics within the strict spatial constraints of aerial and ground platforms. The role involves creating robust thermal management strategies that maintain hardware integrity during extended operations in harsh and variable conditions. Performance measurement is a core function, involving the collection and analysis of thermal data to iteratively refine cooling approaches for electronic modules used in defense contexts. You will work closely with electrical and mechanical engineering counterparts to ensure seamless integration at component and system interfaces while validating thermal performance through simulated testing protocols prior to any field deployment.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Execute the thermal and fluid dynamic strategy for Shield AI vehicle families, ensuring alignment with stringent operational requirements.
• Design and analyze airflow pathways and thermal interfaces to manage heat dissipation for densely packed electronics in constrained environments.
• Develop and maintain robust thermal management strategies that guarantee hardware integrity during extended operations in harsh environments.
• Collect and analyze thermal performance data to refine cooling approaches and validate the effectiveness of electronic module cooling in defense contexts.
• Collaborate with electrical and mechanical engineers to ensure seamless integration at component and system interfaces throughout the design cycle.
• Validate thermal performance through simulated testing protocols before any field deployment to mitigate operational risk.
• Document methods, results, and design rationales to enable future iterations, knowledge transfer, and organizational learning.
• Mentor junior engineers on best practices for heat dissipation in compact and constrained form factors to elevate team capability.
• Collaborate with operators to ensure vehicle readiness aligns with demanding mission schedules and operational tempo without compromising thermal performance.
• Leverage first principles thinking to solve complex thermal and fluid dynamic problems inherent in vertical and ground-based autonomous systems.
• Partner with simulation specialists to model temperature gradients and airflow patterns, translating insights into practical design improvements.
• Act as a technical authority within cross-functional teams, providing clear communication of thermal constraints and mitigation strategies.

Requirements

Candidates must bring several years of hands-on experience solving fluid dynamics and thermal management problems in engineering contexts. A proven track record of managing concurrent design projects while maintaining rigorous documentation standards is mandatory. The ideal candidate demonstrates an understanding of how vehicle dynamics and maneuvers influence thermal behavior in real-world conditions. Clear and effective communication skills are required to interface with multidisciplinary teams across distributed development timelines and geographic locations. You must be able to interpret complex technical data and translate it into actionable design decisions that protect critical electronics. The role demands a high level of ownership, with the ability to independently drive solutions from concept to implementation. You will be expected to adhere to strict timelines and quality standards in support of operational deployment goals. An understanding of defense-related workflows and operational constraints is essential for effective integration within the team.

Nice to have

Experience with simulation tools dedicated to analyzing temperature gradients and airflow patterns is highly desirable. Familiarity with defense-related engineering standards and operational workflows will be considered an asset. Specific experience with Shield AI vehicle platforms, including V-BAT, X-BAT, and associated systems such as Hivemind and Aechelon, is strongly encouraged.

Practical notes

This position is based in Dallas, Texas, and is structured as a full-time employment arrangement.