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Shield AI is seeking a Staff UAS Flight Test Operator to lead system-level flight test operations for Hivemind Mission Autonomy across small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and external platforms. This role is part of the Hivemind Product Quality team and focuses on testing pre-release HivemindSDK software, verifying features, capabilities, and operational performance in laboratory and flight environments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead system-level flight test campaigns for Hivemind Mission Autonomy across multi-rotor, fixed-wing, and external UAS platforms, including day-to-day fly-fix-fly operations
- Plan and conduct missions in accordance with approved test plans, test cards, configuration requirements, release criteria, and safety procedures
- Operate, configure, inspect, and maintain UAS, payloads, ground control systems, communications equipment, and supporting test infrastructure across laboratory, ground, and flight-test environments
- Test pre-release HivemindSDK versions by verifying features, integrations, autonomy capabilities, and performance against defined product and quality requirements
- Develop and execute representative customer workflows and mission scenarios to assess SDK functionality, usability, reliability, and operational performance across aircraft types and multi-agent configurations
- Document test results, defects, anomalies, regressions, and limitations; provide actionable feedback to product, software, systems, autonomy, and quality teams; support issue reproduction, triage, and corrective-action verification
- Lead operational risk assessments, crew briefings, ground checks, launch and recovery preparations, and post-flight debriefs while serving in designated leadership roles during test conduct
- Monitor telemetry and system status, collect flight data, evaluate aircraft and autonomy behavior, and support initial anomaly investigation
- Establish and maintain SOPs, test procedures, checklists, and operational standards; mentor flight test personnel; communicate test status and risks; drive improvements in safety, efficiency, product quality, and customer readiness
Requirements:
- 8+ years of experience operating, configuring, and maintaining Group 1/2 UAS platforms in test, military, commercial, or operational environments
- Demonstrated experience leading complex UAS flight operations, including mission planning, test-card execution, crew briefings and debriefings, and real-time coordination in dynamic test environments
- Strong knowledge of COTS UAS hardware, autopilot systems, payloads, ground control stations, communications systems, and supporting test equipment
- Experience assessing operational readiness and maintaining configuration control across aircraft, payloads, software, communications equipment, personnel, and test infrastructure
- Experience developing, implementing, and executing SOPs, checklists, risk assessments, hazard mitigations, and operational processes
- Working knowledge of National Airspace System operations, airspace coordination, flight authorization requirements, and operational planning for complex UAS missions
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate holder
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience supporting autonomy, AI-enabled systems, or developmental flight test programs, particularly multi-aircraft or distributed UAS operations
- Experience supporting test progression across simulation, software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, ground test, and flight test environments
- Hands-on fabrication and integration experience involving mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, wiring harnesses, avionics, payloads, and supporting test equipment
- Proficiency with ArduPilot, PX4, QGroundControl, and Mission Planner, with working knowledge of Linux, IP networking, MAVLink, ROS/ROS 2, or basic scripting
- Military UAS operations or experience supporting DoD developmental testing, operational testing, customer demonstrations, or other formally controlled test programs
