Principal Fuel Systems Engineer (X-BAT)
Leads architecture, development, and validation of fuel systems for AI-powered autonomous aircraft, owning full lifecycle from concept to flight testing. Requires 12+ years in aircraft fuel systems, expertise in fluid mechanics, CFD, and modeling tools like ANSYS Fluent and MATLAB.
About the job
Responsibilities
- Architect end-to-end fuel systems including storage, transfer, venting, and pressurization for next-gen autonomous aircraft.
- Lead cross-functional integration between propulsion, structures, avionics, and thermal teams to ensure optimal system performance.
- Conduct system-level modeling and analysis to predict flow behavior, vapor suppression, slosh dynamics, and thermal effects.
- Define performance requirements and verification strategies for high-reliability components and assemblies.
- Lead design reviews, technical trade studies, and risk assessments for critical systems.
- Oversee supplier selection, qualification, and acceptance testing for pumps, valves, tanks, and sensors.
- Support and guide ground and flight test campaigns; perform root-cause analysis for system anomalies.
- Mentor engineers, establish best practices, and develop processes for system integration and testing.
- Contribute to long-term technology roadmaps, including hybrid-electric and alternative fuel system architectures.
Required Qualifications
- B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering discipline.
- 12–15+ years of experience in aircraft fuel systems, aerospace fluids, or propulsion integration.
- Demonstrated expertise with fuel system design, analysis, and certification for manned or unmanned aircraft.
- Deep understanding of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and CFD principles.
- Proficiency with analysis and modeling tools (ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, MATLAB/Simulink) and CAD software (NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks).
- Strong technical leadership and mentoring experience within multidisciplinary teams.
- Familiarity with FAA and MIL-STD certification requirements and validation testing.
- U.S. Citizenship required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with UAV, fighter, or ISR platform development.
- Proven success leading complex fuel system programs from concept through flight test.
- Knowledge of advanced or low-observable fuel system technologies, vapor suppression, and hybrid-electric integration.
- Active or previous security clearance.
Skills
Ansys Fluent, Openfoam, MATLAB, Simulink, Nx, CATIA, Solidworks, Cfd, Faa Certification, Mil-Std
Similar jobs
Hardware Engineering jobs
Shield AI
San Diego, CA
Leads flight-critical avionics and electrical subsystem design for autonomous aircraft, owning hardware development from concept through validation. Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, 10+ years as an electrical engineer, and expertise in circuit design, testing, and debugging.
Zoox
Foster City, CA
Leads electrical architecture for autonomous vehicles, owning low-voltage power distribution, vehicle communications, ECU power states, and verification strategy. Requires extensive automotive electrical systems experience, model-based systems engineering expertise, and knowledge of ECU firmware and vehicle networks.
Dandy
Indianapolis, IN
Senior Controls Engineer leading SCADA, PLC, and machine-software development for manufacturing equipment from proof of concept through high-volume production. The role requires 8+ years of software engineering experience, substantial manufacturing-software expertise, and frequent travel to Indianapolis and Provo.
Skydio
California
Leads manufacturing test readiness for a product line, designing automated test hardware and software, analyzing factory data, and resolving production issues. Requires 10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, 5+ years in NPI test development, and strong Python expertise.
Skydio
California
Leads the manufacturing engineering organization responsible for scaling automated production systems for complex unmanned aircraft. The role requires deep factory automation and controls expertise, experience scaling electromechanical products, and a track record of leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.