Propulsion Engineering Technician (R6045)
Shield AI · Dallas, TX
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 29 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Shield AI (aerospace & defense) in Dallas, TX.
- Tools it names
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Machining, Tooling
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Texas: typical posted base $79k–$132k.
Median of the low and high ends of 33 live postings that list pay, out of 148 manufacturing engineer openings in Texas, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Texas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 147 other live manufacturing postings in Texas.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $79k–$132k, from 33 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 57%
- Root cause 51%
- Lean 39%
- New product launch 39%
- Automation 34%
- Six Sigma 28%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Shield AI
We found 3 people at this company and state: 3 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Nicholas → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Shield AI in Dallas
15 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found in manufacturing roles at Shield AI.
- Support Equipment Engineer (R5913) · Manufacturing
- Production Technician · Production · Technician
- Senior Supplier Development Engineer (R5487) · Quality · Senior
- Sr Director Engineering, V-BAT · Manufacturing · Director+
- Director, Avionics Engineering, V-BAT · Manufacturing · Director+
- Senior Supervisor, Engineering Technician (R5375) · Manufacturing · Supervisor
Full description from Shield AIAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
What you'll do
- ◆Design, fabricate, assemble, and maintain custom test setups, fixtures, and instrumentation for engine and propulsion system validation.
- ◆Develop and execute test plans for experimental propulsion systems and components in collaboration with engineering.
- ◆Define and document test procedures and work instructions for new tests in environments with little or no precedent.
- ◆Fabricate mechanical and electrical test hardware using composites, machined parts, 3D printing, adhesives, and aerospace-grade fasteners.
- ◆Conduct and monitor propulsion system tests, including piston engine/propeller tests.
- ◆Operate and maintain instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and specialized calibration tools.
- ◆Support avionics integration, wire harness fabrication, and system-level electrical testing.
- ◆Analyze test data, document findings, and provide feedback to engineering teams to improve designs and testing methodologies.
- ◆Work closely with propulsion, mechanical, aerospace, structural, manufacturing, software, and electrical engineering teams to support R&D testing.
- ◆Execute cross-functional test campaigns when other teams’ hardware or software integrates with propulsion systems.
- ◆Ensure discipline, accuracy, and repeatability in all test results and reports.
Required qualifications
- ✓Proven experience designing and/or executing engineering test setups/fixtures, and test campaigns.
- ✓Ability to self-direct test planning and execution with minimal supervision.
- ✓Strong hands-on background in hardware or avionics fabrication, including machining, 3D printing, adhesive bonding, and/or wiring harnesses.
- ✓Proficiency with precision tools, calibrated measurement equipment, power tools, thread specifications, and torque procedures.
- ✓Comfortable working in shop and lab environments with exposure to noise, dust, and chemicals.
- ✓Ability to lift and move parts and equipment (up to 50 lbs.) and perform physical work for extended periods.
Preferred qualifications
- ✓Experience in aerospace propulsion or engine development.
- ✓Working knowledge of piston engines, preferably two-stroke.
- ✓Experience with avionics systems, sensors, harness fabrication, and R&D testing environments.
- ✓Familiarity with data acquisition systems, instrumentation calibration, and sensor integration.
- ✓Deep understanding of torque, fastener, and adhesive specifications for aerospace hardware.
- ✓Ability to interpret and analyze test data to inform engineering design decisions.
- ✓Experience with command line syntax or microcontroller programming (Arduino or similar).
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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.
