# Senior Staff Propulsion Engineer (TVC) (X-BAT) (R4160)

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** Dallas, TX
**Role:** Hardware Engineering
**Salary:** $173k – $260k/yr
**Experience:** 7+ years
**Skills:** Python, Ansys, FEA, Siemens Nx, Teamcenter, Thrust Vector Control, Nozzle Dynamics, Actuation Systems
**Posted:** 2025-11-04

> Serves as Responsible Engineer for Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system on X-BAT, owning full lifecycle from design to flight testing. Requires 7+ years in aerospace propulsion, Python proficiency, and expertise in nozzle dynamics and mechanical integration.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Act as the single-threaded owner for the TVC system, accountable for all technical decisions from concept to flight.
- Define and manage system requirements, performance goals, and mechanical/electrical interfaces.
- Design and integrate vectoring mechanisms with the engine and surrounding structure.
- Lead ground and flight testing of the TVC system, including instrumentation planning, data collection, and performance evaluation.
- Analyze control authority, vectoring bandwidth, and dynamic response across the flight envelope.
- Collaborate with the controls team to shape vectoring logic and ensure closed-loop system performance meets CONOPS requirements.
- Own fault management, failure investigations, and system reliability strategies.
- Represent the TVC system in design reviews, technical checkpoints, customer briefings, and leadership updates.

## Required Qualifications
- **Bachelor’s degree** in aerospace engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- **7+ years** of experience in aerospace propulsion or flight control systems, with relevant experience owning subsystem development.
- Deep understanding of nozzle dynamics, actuation systems, mechanical integration, and structural/thermal constraints.
- Demonstrated experience in hardware development, test planning, and flight test support.
- Strong proficiency in **Python** for performance analysis, data processing, and model correlation.
- Familiarity with tools such as **ANSYS**, **FEA**, or thermal/fluid modeling for mechanism and system validation.

## Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with TVC or control effector systems on UAVs, tactical aircraft, or rocket platforms.
- Familiarity with low-bypass turbofan engines and integration constraints near hot-end propulsion hardware.
- Experience collaborating on control logic development, transient response shaping, and actuator tuning.
- Proficiency with **Siemens NX** and **Teamcenter** for CAD and configuration control.
- Background in failure modes analysis, margin modeling, and system validation strategies.
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.

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