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Shield AI, a venture-backed defense-tech company, is seeking a Senior Engineer, Flight Test to support its mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent autonomous systems. The company develops Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation technologies, with operations worldwide.
In this role, you will be responsible for the full lifecycle of flight test operations. You will develop, publish, and execute comprehensive flight test plans, procedures, risk assessments, safety reviews, and readiness reviews. You'll support integration and testing of aircraft systems, payloads, communications/data links, software, ground control systems, and mission equipment.
Key responsibilities include leading and coordinating pre-flight, flight, and post-flight activities such as system configuration, instrumentation, telemetry, and data collection. You will analyze ground and flight test data to identify performance trends, anomalies, root causes, and corrective actions. You'll coordinate with engineering teams to validate requirements, troubleshoot issues, and mature system capabilities. You will lead or participate in test range operations, safety briefings, go/no-go decisions, and test logistics.
You will document test results, lessons learned, anomalies, and recommendations in clear technical reports. Additional responsibilities include supporting aircraft maintenance, configuration control, system readiness, and creating/improving flight test processes, tools, and data workflows. You'll create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements and travel to test sites, customer locations, and field exercises as required.
The ideal candidate is a practical, detail-oriented engineer comfortable in control rooms and hangar environments, capable of solving complex problems, taking ownership, and making rapid decisions. You should be able to write detailed test plans, troubleshoot hardware and software at test sites, analyze flight data, and communicate clearly under operational pressure. Safety-mindedness, high technical acumen, and motivation to build and validate advanced aircraft systems for rapid fielding are essential.
**Requirements:**
- Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM)
- 5+ years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned/manned aircraft systems, aircraft integration, or aerospace systems engineering
- Strong understanding of aircraft systems, flight dynamics, avionics, telemetry, sensors, or control systems
- Proven ability to write and execute structured test plans, procedures, and reports
- Strong troubleshooting skills in field and/or lab environments
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work across engineering and operations teams
- Willingness to travel and work outdoors, in fields, or test range environments
- Availability for overtime and weekend coverage as required
- U.S. Citizenship with in-scope active Secret clearance required to start
**Preferred Qualifications:**
- 8+ years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned aircraft systems, aircraft integration, or aerospace systems engineering
- Experience with Group 4-5 UAS and/or fighter-type capability or similar weapons systems
- Familiarity with FAA, DoD, and test range flight operations
- Experience with autonomy, navigation, mission planning, and Command-and-Control (C2) systems
- Hands-on experience with aircraft maintenance, avionics integration, payload integration, and ground support equipment
- Experience with telemetry systems, flight and data logs, sensor data, datalinks, and RF systems
- Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or crewed aviation experience
- Proven Mission Control Room experience using Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS) or similar development FTI display system
- Experience leading or supporting developmental flight test campaigns from design through planning and execution to reporting
