Senior Propulsion Engineering Technician (r4012)

Senior Propulsion Engineering Technician

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With nine offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI's technology actively supports operations worldwide.

We are seeking a Propulsion Engineering Technician to join our advanced propulsion engineering team. You will be part of a small, high-performance group responsible for designing, building, and executing propulsion system tests that push the limits of autonomous aircraft capability. This role demands initiative, technical rigor, and the ability to define and execute test procedures for systems that have never been tested before.

You will design, fabricate, and maintain test fixtures and setups, develop and run test plans, and work hands-on with cutting-edge propulsion hardware and avionics. You will be involved in testing and qualifying prototype designs, first-article units. Success in this role requires accountability, precision, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

What You'll Do:

• Design, fabricate, assemble, and maintain custom test setups, fixtures, and instrumentation for engine and propulsion system validation.
• Develop and execute test plans for experimental propulsion systems and components in collaboration with engineering.
• Define and document test procedures and work instructions for new tests in environments with little or no precedent.
• Fabricate mechanical and electrical test hardware using composites, machined parts, 3D printing, adhesives, and aerospace-grade fasteners.
• Conduct and monitor propulsion system tests, including piston engines (preferably two-stroke).
• Operate and maintain instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and specialized calibration tools.
• Support avionics integration, wire harness fabrication, and system-level electrical testing.
• Analyze test data, document findings, and provide feedback to engineering teams to improve designs and testing methodologies.
• Work closely with propulsion, mechanical, aerospace, structural, manufacturing, software, and electrical engineering teams to support R&D testing.
• Execute cross-functional test campaigns when other teams' hardware or software integrates with propulsion systems.
• Ensure discipline, accuracy, and repeatability in all test results and reports.

Required Qualifications:

• Proven experience designing and/or executing engineering test setups/fixtures, and test campaigns.
• Ability to self-direct test planning and execution with minimal supervision.
• Strong hands-on background in hardware or avionics fabrication, including machining, composites, 3D printing, adhesive bonding, and wiring harnesses.
• Proficiency with precision tools, calibrated measurement equipment, thread specifications, and torque procedures.
• Comfortable working in shop and lab environments with exposure to noise, dust, and chemicals.
• Ability to lift and move parts and equipment (up to 50 lbs.) and perform physical work for extended periods.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in aerospace propulsion or engine development.
• Working knowledge of piston engines, preferably two-stroke.
• Experience with avionics systems, sensors, harness fabrication, and R&D testing environments.
• Familiarity with data acquisition systems, instrumentation calibration, and sensor integration.
• Deep understanding of torque, fastener, and adhesive specifications for aerospace hardware.
• Ability to interpret and analyze test data to inform engineering design decisions.
• Associates or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.

$28 - $42 an hour