Principal Fuel Systems Engineer

About the role

Shield AI is currently seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Fuel Systems Engineer to join their growing team. This position is based out of our Dallas, Texas office and is offered as a full-time employment opportunity. The successful candidate for this role will be compensated within a range of 180,000 USD and 220,000 USD annually. While the position is rooted in Dallas, Shield AI may consider remote work arrangements for exceptionally qualified individuals, which would involve a travel commitment of up to 25 percent. This role represents a significant opportunity to contribute directly to the advancement of autonomous air vehicle technology.

About the role

The Principal Fuel Systems Engineer Opportunity at Shield AI is a critical leadership position designed to drive the technical vision for our energy systems. Shield AI invites applications from professionals who are passionate about enabling next-generation flight autonomy. The selected individual will be responsible for the end-to-end stewardship of fuel system strategy and execution. This role requires a deep understanding of fluid dynamics, material compatibility, and system-level integration within aerial platforms. The position is integral to ensuring mission reliability and operational safety for our diverse vehicle portfolio. Candidates must be prepared to mentor junior engineers and establish best-in-class technical standards.

Key Mission Focus Areas

You own the architecture, development, and validation of fuel systems for AI-powered aircraft. Your responsibilities span the entire product lifecycle from initial sketches through flight trials. You will define how fuel moves through our air vehicle portfolio, shaping system architecture and guiding validation. Your technical judgment mentors teams and enforces strict standards. This work enables long-range missions while safeguarding people and hardware in demanding environments. You will design fuel pathways and storage layouts for V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. All designs must comply with strict safety regulations and industry standards. You will analyze center of gravity shifts during missions. This analysis maintains stable flight across varying payload ranges and operational profiles. You will validate fuel system performance in simulated extreme conditions. Testing occurs in digital environments before any physical hardware is built.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Technical Integration

You will coordinate with partners to align Aechelon simulation models with physical test data. This ensures consistency between digital predictions and certification expectations. You will guide concept choices early in development. Early decisions must support vehicle efficiency and long-endurance flight goals. You will document all decisions and trade studies. This documentation ensures traceability from requirements through flight test results. You will lead cross-functional reviews. These sessions resolve technical risks before they escalate within the program. You will mentor engineers on documentation practices. Your guidance keeps designs clear, traceable, and ready for regulatory scrutiny. You will work closely with mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams. This collaboration ensures that fuel systems operate seamlessly with the overall aircraft architecture. You will act as the primary technical authority for fuel system integration challenges.

Required Qualifications and Experience

You hold an engineering degree or a closely related technical field. Candidates must bring three to five years of relevant experience. You possess hands-on experience with fuel system components. This includes pumps, lines, sensors, and control strategies. You understand certification processes for hardware and software. This is critical for aircraft operating in demanding conditions. You communicate effectively with specialists and external partners. Willingness to travel up to 25 percent is necessary for this role. You have a proven track record of solving complex engineering problems under tight constraints. You are adept at using structured analytical methods to evaluate design alternatives. You must have a strong commitment to safety and quality assurance principles.

Preferred Qualifications and Tools

Experience with simulation tools such as Aechelon is preferred. Familiarity with defense programs and related compliance frameworks is a plus. You will work closely with the V-BAT aircraft platform. You will also engage with the X-BAT aircraft platform. Your expertise will involve the Aechelon simulation environment. You will apply knowledge of the Hivemind autonomy software stack. You are experienced in managing technical requirements and verification traceability. You have a background in developing robust test procedures for hardware validation. You are comfortable operating in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment.

Practical notes

This position requires the ability to travel up to 25 percent of the time for project-related activities. All candidates must adhere to Shield AI's security protocols and confidentiality agreements. The information provided in this description reflects the current needs of the role. Specific details regarding exact duties, compensation, and location options must be confirmed on the official application page. Shield AI is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.

About the company

Shield AI, Inc. is an American aerospace and defense technology company based in San Diego, California. The company develops autonomous systems for military and commercial applications, focusing on AI-powered drones and aircraft.