Senior Staff Engineer, Environmental Control Systems - Ranger

About the role

Shield AI is hiring a Senior Staff (L5) Environmental Control System (ECS) Engineer for a dedicated special access program. You will take full technical ownership of the ECS architecture, analysis, design and integration, acting as the sole ECS subject matter expert. The role works from first principles to execute trades, size systems, design hardware, manage external suppliers, support proposals and capture, and deliver flight-ready hardware in a rapid-iteration aircraft development environment.

Key responsibilities

• Lead ECS architecture definition and trade studies (vapor cycle, air cycle, passive/ram-air systems) to meet thermal, electrical, mass and volume constraints.
• Design and analyze air inlets, scoops, ducting networks and ram-air cooling circuits for adequate flow across the flight envelope.
• Perform first-principles thermodynamic and heat transfer hand calculations, backed by 1D fluid-thermal network modeling.
• Write technical specifications and statements of work for ECS hardware (heat exchangers, fans, valves, compressors, sensors), evaluate vendors and drive supplier execution.
• Define qualification and verification test plans, design test rigs, support instrumentation/DAQ setup and run test campaigns.
• Process flight-test thermal and fluid data, investigate anomalies and implement rapid design changes.

Required profile

• 7 to 12 years of direct experience developing aerospace Environmental Control Systems and vehicle thermal/fluid systems.
• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Deep mastery of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and heat transfer applied to aircraft or defense systems.
• Proven track record sourcing COTS/custom aerospace components, driving suppliers to schedule and building benchtop or vehicle-level test setups.
• Ability to self-direct, prioritize technical tasks without oversight and deliver functional hardware under tight timelines.
• Clearance eligible.

Required skills

• 1D system modeling (Amesim, Flowmaster or Python/MATLAB fluid networks).
• 3D CAD modeling, routing and drawing release (Siemens NX preferred, or CATIA/Creo); PLM workflows.
• Preferred: familiarity with MIL-STD-810, MIL-HDBK-310, RTCA DO-160 and SAE AIR/ARP standards.