Thermal-Hydraulics Engineer
OkloSalary not specified
Full Time
Mid-level (3 to 4 years), Senior (5 to 8 years)
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Aerospace, Defense, AviationIndustries
Requirements
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
- Minimum 7 years of professional experience in avionics or electronics thermal engineering
- Strong expertise in heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation) and fluid mechanics
- Deep understanding of active and passive cooling solutions and their integration at component and system level
- Deep understanding of thermal management design elements including TIMs, spreaders, heat sinks, vapor chambers, heat pipes, and fans
- Proficiency with thermal analysis and CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS Icepak, FloEFD, STAR-CCM+)
- Proficiency with CAD design tools such as NX, SolidWorks, or similar
- Demonstrated experience applying first-principles reasoning to complex engineering problems
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of leading technical discussions and presenting to stakeholders
- Proven ability to learn and adapt quickly to new tools, processes, and technical challenges in a fast paced, startup environment
- Preferred qualifications
- M.S. or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering discipline
- Experience with high altitude aircraft avionics cooling and thermal design
- Familiarity with aircraft integration constraints (power, weight, volume, maintainability, safety)
- Hands-on experience with thermal and fluid system testing, instrumentation, and validation
- Knowledge of materials and manufacturing methods relevant to thermal management (pumps, heat exchangers, composites, etc.)
- Experience guiding trade studies, proposals, and customer interactions in aerospace or defense programs
- Background in multi-disciplinary system integration
Responsibilities
- Own thermal analysis and design efforts for unmanned aerial vehicle avionics and thermal/fluid systems
- Develop and validate analytical, numerical, and computational models for heat transfer and fluid flow using hand calculations and CFD tools such as FloEFD
- Provide technical leadership in trade studies, system architecture decisions, and risk assessments
- Drive test planning, instrumentation, and data analysis to correlate models with experimental results
- Mentor junior engineers and guide cross-disciplinary teams in applying thermal/fluid fundamentals
- Communicate technical findings clearly through executive-level briefings, design reviews, and written reports
- Proactively identify risks, propose solutions, and influence electrical and/or PCBA design direction
Skills
Key technologies and capabilities for this role
Questions & Answers
Common questions about this position
What qualifications are required for the Senior Staff Thermal Engineer role?
Candidates need a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline, plus a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in avionics or electronics thermal engineering. Required skills include strong expertise in heat transfer and fluid mechanics, deep understanding of cooling solutions and thermal management elements, and proficiency with thermal analysis/CFD tools like ANSYS Icepak, FloEFD, STAR-CCM+, and CAD tools such as NX, SolidWorks.
What are the main responsibilities of this position?
You will own thermal analysis and design for UAV avionics and thermal/fluid systems, develop and validate models using hand calculations and CFD tools like FloEFD, provide technical leadership in trade studies and risk assessments, drive test planning and data analysis, mentor junior engineers, and communicate findings through briefings and reports.
What is the salary or compensation for this role?
This information is not specified in the job description.
Is this a remote position, or is there a location requirement?
This information is not specified in the job description.
What kind of company culture can I expect at Shield AI?
Shield AI offers a mission-driven environment focused on protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems, where you will work alongside passionate, innovative, values-focused teammates who thrive on first-principles problem solving and collaboration.
Shield AI
Develops AI and autonomous systems for defense
About Shield AI
Shield AI specializes in creating artificial intelligence and autonomous systems specifically for the defense industry. The company develops AI-powered systems, including autonomous drones, that assist military operations, especially in environments where GPS and communication may not be available. This technology allows for safer and more efficient defense operations. Shield AI differentiates itself from competitors by focusing on advanced AI capabilities and securing significant contracts with government and military clients, such as the multi-billion dollar EWAAC contract. The company's goal is to enhance operational capabilities and safety in military contexts, ultimately aiming to protect lives through its innovative solutions.
San Diego, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2015Year Founded
$772.8MTotal Funding
DEBTCompany Stage
AI & Machine Learning, DefenseIndustries
501-1,000Employees