Shield AI

Senior Mechanical Engineer, Actuation & Fluid Systems (R4730)

Dallas, Texas March 21, 2026 Full Time Lever
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 and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the 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:

Shield AI is seeking a Actuated and Fluid Systems Engineer to support development of hydraulic and actuated systems for our groundbreaking jet-engine VTOL military UAV platform, X-BAT. You will design components and fluid systems, engage with suppliers, perform system and component analysis and sizing, and own multiple aspects of X-BAT’s hydraulics and actuation systems.

Job Description:

Shield AI is seeking a Actuated and Fluid Systems Engineer to support development of hydraulic and actuated systems for our groundbreaking jet-engine VTOL military UAV platform, X-BAT. You will design components and fluid systems, engage with suppliers, perform system and component analysis and sizing, and own multiple aspects of X-BAT’s hydraulics and actuation systems.
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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. 

What you'll do:

  • Work with the engineering team to own design, analysis, and implementation of hydraulic and actuated system designs
  • Engage with and manage suppliers to establish component and system specifications, purchase COTS equipment, and support on-time delivery of your system(s) to the aircraft.
  • Design and execute tests to ensure component and system-level performance meets requirements
  • Own and manage lightweight system level requirements
  • Work with cross-functional stakeholders across the actuated systems group and the aircraft to ensure excellent implementation of your designs

    • Required qualifications:

  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent).
  • 5+ years experience with fluid or hydraulic system design, component design, system analysis, supplier management, requirements management, etc.
  • Demonstrated ability to execute design, build, test with rigor at speed
  • Strong CAD skills (NX preferred)
  • Demonstrated proficiency with hydraulic system analysis, including 1st principles, Simscape, Amesim, etc.
  • Ability to work independently in fast-paced, cross-functional teams
  • A demonstrated record of working hard, being trustworthy, holding yourself to high standards, and being kind to others

    • Preferred qualifications:

  • Experience with environmental and operational robustness (vibration/shock, thermal extremes, contamination, corrosion, sand/dust, etc.).
  • Experience supporting ground test and flight test campaigns and system checkout, failure investigations.
  • Familiarity with reliability and safety methods (DFMEA/FTA, fault containment, safe-state thinking) in collaboration with systems safety.
    • Apply on company site

    How to Get Hired at Shield AI

    • Shield AI is a rapidly growing defense-tech startup with nearly many open roles—timing your application well and applying to well-matched positions increases your chances of standing out.
    • U.S. citizenship and security clearance eligibility are commonly required—make this information immediately visible on your resume to avoid being filtered out early.
    Read the full guide

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