Flight Test Engineer (R5898)

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&nbsp;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&nbsp;<a href="https://shield.ai/" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.shield.ai</a>. Follow Shield AI on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/shield-ai" rel="noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/shieldaitech" rel="noopener noreferrer">X</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/shield_ai" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Shield_AI" rel="noopener noreferrer">YouTube</a>.&nbsp;<br><h3>Job Description:</h3>

Shield AI is seeking an experienced Flight Test Engineer to plan, execute, analyze, and improve ground and flight test operations for a fast-paced next gen aircraft system. You will work closely across several segment owners of engineering, operations, autonomy, systems integration, product support, and manufacturing.&nbsp;&nbsp;

What you'll do:

<li>Develop, publish, and execute comprehensive flight test plans, procedures, cards, risk assessments, safety, and readiness reviews&nbsp;</li>

<li>Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground control systems, and mission equipment&nbsp;</li>

<li>Lead and coordinate pre-flight, flight, and post-flight activities, including system configuration, instrumentation, telemetry, data collection and test reports&nbsp;</li>

<li>Analyze ground and flight test data to identify performance trends, anomalies, root causes, and corrective actions&nbsp;</li>

<li>Coordinate with engineering teams to validate requirements, troubleshoot issues, and mature system capabilities&nbsp;</li>

<li>Lead or participate in test range operations, safety briefings, go/no-go decisions, and test setup and logistics&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>

<li>Document test results, lessons learned, anomalies, and recommendations in clear technical reports&nbsp;</li>

<li>Support aircraft maintenance, configuration control, and system readiness&nbsp;</li>

<li>Create and improve flight test processes, tools, data workflows, and operational efficiency&nbsp;</li>

<li>Create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>

<li>Travel to test sites, customer locations, and field exercises as required&nbsp;</li>

Required qualifications:

<li>Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree)&nbsp;</li>

<li>5-10 years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned/manned aircraft systems, aircraft integration, or aerospace systems engineering&nbsp;</li>

<li>Strong understanding of aircraft systems, flight dynamics, avionics, telemetry, sensors, or control systems&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>

<li>Proven ability to write and execute structured test plans, procedures, and reports&nbsp;</li>

<li>Strong troubleshooting skills in field and/or lab environments&nbsp;</li>

<li>Excellent communication skills and ability to work across engineering and operations teams&nbsp;</li>

<li><strong>Willingness and ability to travel up to 80% for candidates not based in the Wichita Metro Area, </strong>including travel to test sites, ranges, and other field locations</li>

<li>Overtime and weekend coverage as required&nbsp;</li>

<li>Active Secret Security Clearance</li>

Preferred qualifications:

<li>10+ years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned aircraft systems, aircraft integration, or aerospace systems engineering&nbsp;</li>

<li>Experience in Group 4-5 UAS and/or fighter type capability or similar weapons systems&nbsp;</li>

<li>Familiarity with FAA, DoW, and test range flight operations&nbsp;</li>

<li>Experience with autonomy, navigation, mission planning, and Command-and-Control (C2) systems&nbsp;</li>

<li>Hands-on experience with aircraft maintenance, avionics integration, payload integration, and ground support equipment&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>

<li>Experience with telemetry systems, flight and data logs, sensor data, datalinks, and RF systems&nbsp;</li>

<li>Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or crewed aviation experience&nbsp;</li>

<li>Proven Mission Control Room experience using Integrated Analysis &amp; Data System (IADS) or similar development FTI display system&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>

<li>Experience leading or supporting developmental flight test campaigns from design through planning and execution to include reporting&nbsp;</li>

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is practical, detail-oriented engineer who is comfortable in control rooms, hangar/maintenance areas, and office type environments. You can write a detailed test plan, troubleshoot hardware and software at a test site, analyze flight data, and communicate clearly under operational pressure. You are safety-minded, have high technical acumen, and motivated by building and validating advanced and complex aircraft systems&nbsp;

#LI-AA1

#LD

Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

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Temporary employee offer package:

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

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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&nbsp;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.