Staff Engineer, Flight Test (R6064)

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.

What you'll do: Develop and execute detailed integration and flight test plans that support the overall program verification and test strategy across simulation, SIL, HIL, ground, and flight test environments

Coordinate readiness of simulation environments, integration laboratories, aircraft, and flight test assets required to execute program objectives

Apply aviation knowledge, aircraft performance and operational mission understanding to develop safe, efficient, and operationally relevant integration and flight test plans

Define test objectives, performance metrics, and success criteria, ensuring traceability from requirements to test outcomes and operational capability

Lead and support aircraft integration and flight test activities, including system configuration, software integration, mission planning, real-time troubleshooting, flight execution support, and post-flight data analysis

Coordinate with platform OEMs, government ranges, and flight operations personnel to establish test readiness criteria and ensure technical and safety requirements are satisfied prior to test execution

Coordinate cross-functional execution across software, hardware, systems engineering, flight operations, safety, and program leadership teams

Evaluate test results, identify technical issues, and recommend corrective actions to improve system performance and accelerate capability maturation

Required qualifications: Typically requires 8+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 6+ years with a Master’s

Demonstrated experience planning, conducting, and evaluating flight test of aircraft systems in military or defense aviation environments

Strong understanding of safety-of-flight principles, risk management, and disciplined test execution in aviation environments

Demonstrated understanding of aircraft performance, flight operations, and environmental effects influencing aircraft mission planning, test execution, and safety

Experience with system-level verification & validation across multiple test environments (SIL, HIL, simulation, and flight)

Experience working cross-functionally across software, hardware, avionics, systems engineering, safety, and program teams

Experience with scripting or software tools (Python preferred) for test automation, data analysis, or system validation

Ability to effectively communicate with pilots, operators, and engineers to develop executable flight test objectives, mission plans, and risk mitigations

Excellent technical leadership and communication skills, including briefing to program leadership and external customers

Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance; U.S. citizenship required

Preferred qualifications: Military aviation experience as aircrew, flight test engineer, mission systems operator, or engineer supporting military aircraft development or test programs

Prior role as Flight Test Director, Test Conductor, or Lead Flight Test Engineer on full-scale aircraft programs

Understanding of military air operations, mission planning, and Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) supporting autonomous aircraft employment

Experience supporting Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP), loyal wingman concepts, or multi-vehicle autonomous systems

Familiarity with DoD acquisition and developmental test processes

Experience operating in or supporting government flight test ranges and operational environments

Background in autonomy, AI/ML-enabled systems, or human-machine teaming in aviation contexts

Experience with airworthiness processes, flight clearance, and configuration control for aircraft systems

Familiarity with tools such as Git, Jira/Azure DevOps, and CI/CD pipelines

Active SECRET clearance

Full-time regular employee offer package: Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package: Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.