Engineer II, Avionics Thermal Engineering (R5298)

Shield AI

Seattle, WA

On-site

Who this role is best for

Avionics thermal engineers with first-principles problem-solving skills and a background in electronics cooling will find this role in a fast-paced defense-tech environment.

Best fit for

Candidates with 2+ years of experience in avionics thermal engineering and a B.S. in mechanical or aerospace engineering
— “B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.”
Individuals who can lead cross-disciplinary teams and apply thermal/fluid fundamentals to complex systems
— “Guide cross-disciplinary teams in applying thermal/fluid fundamentals.”
Engineers with hands-on experience in CFD tools and model validation through testing
— “Drive test planning, instrumentation, and data analysis to correlate models with experimental results.”

Things to consider

Background check and possible reference verification are required for employment
— “All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check.”
The role is not open to military fellows or part-time employees for benefits eligibility
— “Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits.”

How to stand out

Emphasize experience with high altitude aircraft avionics cooling in your resume and interviews
— “Experience with high altitude aircraft avionics cooling and thermal design.”
Showcase your ability to integrate thermal management elements like TIMs and heat sinks
— “Understanding of thermal management design elements including TIMs, spreaders, heat sinks, vapor chambers, heat pipes, and fans”
Demonstrate your proficiency with CFD tools such as FloEFD and ANSYS Icepak
— “Proficiency with thermal analysis and CFD tools (e.g., ANSYS Icepak, FloEFD, STAR-CCM+).”
Highlight your ability to use first-principles reasoning to solve complex engineering problems
— “Demonstrated experience applying first-principles reasoning to complex engineering problems.”
Demonstrate your ability to communicate technical findings effectively through written reports and design reviews
— “Communicate technical findings clearly through design reviews, and written reports.”

Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

design, analysis, and integration of aircraft avionics thermal management systems
development and validation of analytical, numerical, and computational models for heat transfer and fluid flow
technical leadership in trade studies and risk assessments
test planning, instrumentation, and data analysis

Typical background

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering2+ years of professional experience in avionics or electronics thermal engineering

Skills & requirements

Required

Thermal EngineeringHeat TransferFluid MechanicsCFD ToolsCAD Design ToolsFirst-principles ReasoningCommunication Skills

Preferred

High Altitude Aircraft Avionics CoolingAircraft Integration ConstraintsThermal And Fluid System Testing

Stack & domain

Heat TransferFluid MechanicsCFD ToolsCAD Design ToolsFirst-principles ReasoningCommunicationThermal EngineeringAvionicsElectronics Cooling

About the role

Original posting from Shield AI via Lever

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 www.shield.ai. 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 AI and aircraft products? 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 Level 2 Thermal Engineer at Shield AI, you will own the design, analysis, and integration of aircraft avionics thermal management systems and electronics cooling.
This role is best suited for an engineer who thrives on first-principles problem solving, is comfortable with ambiguous, open-ended challenges, and can communicate well across functions, ensuring well coordinated thermal management solutions.
What you'll do::
Own thermal solutions for unmanned aerial vehicle avionics including design, analysis, and test.
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.
Drive test planning, instrumentation, and data analysis to correlate models with experimental results.
Guide cross-disciplinary teams in applying thermal/fluid fundamentals.
Communicate technical findings clearly through 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 2 years of professional experience in avionics or electronics thermal engineering.
Strong expertise in heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation) and fluid mechanics.
Strong understanding of active and passive cooling solutions and their integration at component and system level.
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+).
Experience 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.
Proven ability to learn and adapt quickly to new tools, processes, and technical challenges in a fast paced, startup environment.
Preferred qualifications::
M.S. in a relevant engineering discipline.
Experience with high altitude aircraft avionics cooling and thermal design.
Familiarity with aircraft integration constraints (power, weight, volume, maintainability, safety).
Hands-on experience with thermal and fluid system testing, instrumentation, and validation.
Knowledge of materials and manufacturing methods relevant to thermal management
#LI-MS1
#LB
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.

Source: Shield AI careers (Lever)