Principal Environmental Control Systems Engineer
Description For Principal Environmental Control Systems Engineer
Shield AI, founded in 2015, is a pioneering defense technology company developing intelligent systems to protect service members and civilians. Their flagship autonomy software, Hivemind, powers various aircraft and drones for complex missions in contested environments. As a Principal Environmental Control Systems Engineer, you'll lead the design and optimization of environmental control systems for advanced autonomous UAVs and ground systems. This role combines technical leadership with hands-on engineering, requiring expertise in thermal management, fluid dynamics, and system integration. You'll work with cutting-edge technology in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, leading projects from concept to production. The position offers competitive compensation ($171,080 - $272,514) plus equity and benefits, reflecting the company's commitment to innovation and excellence. Based in San Diego, Shield AI provides an opportunity to work on meaningful projects that directly impact national security and technological advancement. The role requires 10+ years of experience and offers the chance to mentor junior engineers while pushing the boundaries of ECS development in autonomous systems.
Responsibilities For Principal Environmental Control Systems Engineer
- Lead the end-to-end design and analysis of environmental control systems for aircraft and ground platforms
- Develop and implement innovative ECS solutions that optimize performance, reliability, and energy efficiency
- Use first-principles engineering to drive design decisions in thermal management, humidity control, pressurization, and air quality systems
- Conduct advanced simulations using CFD and FEA tools to predict ECS performance and refine designs
- Lead testing and validation efforts, including data acquisition, post-processing, and verification against requirements
- Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to integrate ECS designs into larger system architectures
- Drive root-cause analysis and resolution of ECS-related failures through data analysis and testing
- Mentor and guide junior engineers
- Identify opportunities for continuous improvement across ECS development processes
- Ensure compliance with regulatory and industry standards for ECS designs
Requirements For Principal Environmental Control Systems Engineer
- Minimum 10+ years of experience in Environmental Control Systems design
- B.S. or advanced degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering discipline
- Deep understanding of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and system-level thermal management
- Advanced proficiency with CFD and FEA tools such as ANSYS, Icepak, or Flotherm
- Extensive experience in ECS testing, including sensor integration, data acquisition, and analysis
- Expertise in 3D CAD modeling tools such as Siemens NX or equivalent
- Demonstrated ability to lead projects, assume full ownership, and deliver exceptional outcomes
- Proven success in navigating development cycles and launching products in dynamic environments
Benefits For Principal Environmental Control Systems Engineer
- Salary + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
- International benefits where applicable
- Visa assistance
- Relocation assistance
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