Senior Engineer Propulsion - Engine Performance (R5907)

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:

We are seeking a Propulsion Performance Engineer to own engine calibration and performance for the reciprocating engines that power the V-BAT platform. This role serves as the technical owner for engine calibration strategy — driving test plans, ECU tuning, and performance analysis from bench through flight test — and is accountable for the torque, power, speed, and fuel efficiency characteristics the engine delivers across its full operating envelope.

You'll work hands-on with engine hardware, electronic fuel injection and engine control systems, and engine test stands, creating and executing engine testing strategies under the direction of senior staff propulsion engineers. Candidates with a background in air-cooled or aviation two-stroke engines are especially encouraged to apply; at minimum, we're looking for someone with deep hands-on experience on reciprocating engines (four-stroke or two-stroke) who can own calibration decisions with minimal oversight.

What You'll Do In This Role

• Support the engine calibration strategy by defining test plans, calibration methodology, and acceptance criteria across dynamometer, bench, and flight test campaigns.
• Perform ECU configuration and tuning (including fuel mapping, ignition timing, and injector phasing) to optimize engine performance, fuel efficiency, and reliability across the operating envelope.
• Analyze and deliver torque, power, and fuel consumption results, identifying calibration or hardware improvement opportunities and driving corrective action.
• Lead troubleshooting and root-cause investigations for engine testing for the development team and production teams.
• Reduce and interpret test and flight data to validate performance against requirements, closing gaps between design intent and measured behavior.
• Represent engine calibration and performance in design reviews, technical readiness checkpoints, and cross-functional discussions with design, controls, and flight test teams.
• Develop and maintain calibration documentation, procedures, and performance reporting to support program milestones.
• Support refinement of performance models for the propulsion system and the vehicle through targeted test campaigns and data review.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in a mechanical or aerospace engineering role, with a focus on engine performance or calibration.
• Deep hands-on experience with reciprocating (piston) engines.
• Demonstrated experience with electronically controlled fuel injectors and fuel injection systems.
• Proven experience with ECU configuration and engine calibration, including ownership of calibration decisions.
• Strong ability to analyze and interpret engine torque, power, and fuel consumption data to drive engine design, ECU calibration, and vehicle performance decisions.
• U.S. Citizenship or ability to comply with ITAR requirements.

Preferred qualifications:

• Podium finish in FSAE competition, with at least one first place trophy in any dynamic event.
• Background in air-cooled engines, particularly aviation two-stroke platforms.
• Experience with dynamometer test cells and associated data acquisition systems.
• Deep familiarity with fuel maps, ignition timing strategies, and closed-loop engine control logic.
• Proficiency in Python or MATLAB for data reduction and calibration tooling.
• Experience writing custom data analysis tools to automate engine performance analysis and calibration workflows.
• Experience supporting military propulsion systems, tactical aircraft, or high-performance aerospace platforms.
• M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.