Staff Engineer, Flight Sciences, Design - Ranger (R6357)

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:

As a Flight Sciences Engineer, Design, you will drive aircraft programs to success with aerodynamic design contributions, CFD analyses, aircraft performance modeling, wind tunnel testing, and flight test data analysis. Your expertise will be critical in ensuring that our aircraft achieve optimal aerodynamic efficiency, stability, and performance across a variety of operational conditions.

What you'll do:

• Conduct aerodynamic design and build multi-disciplinary optimizations
• Run computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and communicate results
• Construct aerodynamic models using wind tunnel data, CFD data, physics-based data, or a combination of all
• Develop and implement aerodynamic performance models and tools to support design and flight operations.
• Support wind tunnel test campaigns
• Analyze flight test data to validate and refine aerodynamic models and designs
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including structural engineers, propulsion engineers, and control systems engineers

Required qualifications:

• 7+ years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years with a Master’s degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience
• 5+ years of experience in aerodynamics or conceptual design on air vehicle programs
• Familiarity with CFD software and techniques
• Familiarity with basic aerodynamic tool development in Python / MATLAB
• Experience in aircraft sizing and conceptual design
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills
• Proven ability to deliver high-quality solutions in fast-paced, dynamic environments

Preferred qualifications:

• Background in aircraft aerodynamics across a wide range of flow regimes, from low-subsonic to supersonic flight
• Significant CFD experience (STAR-CCM+ preferred but not required)
• MDO experience
• Experience working in a fast-paced startup or R&D environment
• Lofting/surfacing experience (ideally in NX)

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