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Shield AI

a16z — Backed by a16z
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Power Electronics - Thermal Engineer Senior Staff

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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 . Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description:
Are you a passionate and innovative thermal engineer looking to help develop state of the art aircraft? Are you eager to make a positive difference in the world? Do you want to work alongside mission driven and values focused teammates? Shield AI is just the place for you!

As a Senior Staff Thermal Engineer at Shield AI, you will lead the design, analysis, and integration of aircraft avionics thermal management systems. We are designing a high voltage, high power system using custom power electronics and energy storage. This role is best suited for an engineer who thrives on first-principles problem solving, is comfortable with ambiguous, open-ended challenges, and can bridge technical disciplines with strong communication and collaboration skills and the ability to simplify and communicate complex problems. The engineer will be a key contributor in shaping designs, mentoring peers, and ensuring robust thermal solutions that meet mission-critical aerospace requirements.

What you'll do:

  • Own thermal analysis and design efforts for unmanned aerial vehicle avionics including custom power electronics
  • 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
  • Lead cross-functional teams designing power electronic circuits and environmental enclosures. Provide design requirements that impact circuit part selection, board layout, material selection, and other design aspects
  • 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

Required qualifications:

  • 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
  • Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
#LI-JM2
#LE

Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
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What this application asks

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Which location are you applying for?, Resume/CV, Full name, Email, Phone, Current location, Current company, LinkedIn URL, Twitter URL, GitHub URL, Portfolio URL, Other website

  • Are you authorized to work in the United States? choose one
  • Will you require sponsorship for employment now or in the future? choose one
  • If yes, what type of sponsorship? written answer · optional
  • This position may require access to information and technology that is subject to export controls, such as EAR. Are you any of the following? choose one
  • If you selected "A protected Individual" OR "Other" to the above question, please explain further. written answer · optional
  • Shield AI provides technology, services, and support to the United States military and allied forces with their various missions. If selected for employment with Shield AI, your contributions will directly relate to and/or support these missions. Are there any reasons why you would not be able to fully contribute in support of the U.S. military and allied forces? choose one
  • (Optional) If you selected other or would like to expand on the above, feel free to do so below: written answer · optional
  • How did you hear about us? choose one
  • If "Industry Conference" or "Other," please provide more details: written answer · optional
  • Please state your full legal name:
  • Are you a transitioning service member? choose one
  • If yes, what partnership program are you working with? choose one · optional
  • If other, please provide further details written answer · optional
  • When are you available to start your fellowship? written answer · optional
  • When are you available for full time work? written answer · optional
  • What full time job(s) are you applying for? written answer
  • Are you local to or willing to relocate? choose one · optional
  • What office(s) would you be willing to relocate to? (Select all that apply) yes / no · optional
  • If you selected international, what location(s)? written answer · optional
  • Do you have, or are you able to obtain, a S/SAR clearance? choose one · optional

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