# Principal Thermal Engineer - Aircraft Avionics & Thermal Systems (R3930) at Shield AI

- Company: Shield AI
- What the company does: Autonomy for the world. Backed by a16z.
- Company website: https://shield.ai
- Type: Startups (AI role)
- Level: Principal and up
- Location: Seattle, Washington
- Work setup: On-site
- Pay: $250K to $350K base salary per year (USD)
- Posted: 2026-10-13
- Apply by: 2026-11-27
- Apply: https://jobs.lever.co/shieldai/8f05505c-b364-429b-9594-ee25aa6bc602?utm_source=1752vc&utm_medium=careers
- Page: https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/shield-ai-principal-thermal-engineer-aircraft-avionics-and-thermal-systems-r3930/

## About the role

Own thermal architecture, analysis, and design strategy for unmanned aerial vehicle avionics and aircraft-level thermal/fluid systems across programs. Lead cross-functional trade studies and technical decisions, balancing thermal performance with power, weight, volume, reliability, manufacturability, and aircraft integration constraints. Found on 1752vc Careers, the job board for startup and VC roles.

## What they're looking for

- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
- Minimum 12 years of professional experience in avionics or electronics thermal engineering, including technical leadership of complex, multidisciplinary systems
- Strong expertise in heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation) and fluid mechanics, with demonstrated ability to apply this expertise to system architecture and critical design decisions
- Deep understanding of active and passive cooling solutions and their integration at component, subsystem, and aircraft level
- Deep 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+), including experience establishing modeling approaches and evaluating analysis quality

Tags: X-BAT Engineering - Mechanical

Source: 1752vc Careers, https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/shield-ai-principal-thermal-engineer-aircraft-avionics-and-thermal-systems-r3930/