Flight Test Director, UAS Autonomy & Systems Integration

Shield; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI in the United States seeks a Senior Staff Flight Test Engineer to serve as the end-to-end Test Director for Hivemind Mission Autonomy on UAS. You will own test readiness, direct campaigns, and drive data-driven decisions from simulation to flight, leading cross-functional teams across engineering, safety, and program management.

You will define test strategy, enforce safety, and report progress to leadership and external stakeholders, enabling rapid, disciplined test execution and

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in a STEM discipline (Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field).
• 7+ years of experience in system integration and test, including SIL, HIL, simulation, and flight test environments.
• Experience leading test execution, including authority over test conduct, readiness, and risk decisions.
• Strong background working cross-functionally with systems engineering, software, hardware, safety, and program management teams.
• Highly organized and methodical, with the ability to manage complex, fast-paced test campaigns.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including briefing technical status to leadership and customers.
• Demonstrated integrity, accountability, and commitment to high standards while fostering a collaborative, respectful team environment.

Responsibilities

• Act as Test Director for system-level integration and flight test campaigns of Hivemind Mission Autonomy on UAS and external platforms.
• Own test readiness decisions, including entry/exit criteria for lab, simulation, ground, and flight test phases.
• Plan, direct, and execute fly–fix–fly test campaigns, ensuring rapid iteration while maintaining disciplined configuration control and safety.
• Define and enforce test strategy, including system-level verification and validation, test phasing, and prioritization of objectives.
• Direct cross-functional test execution, coordinating across various engineering disciplines and test operators.
• Determine test infrastructure requirements, including SIL, HIL, simulation environments, flight test assets, and automated test pipelines.
• Approve and oversee test procedures, test cards, and execution plans, serving as the final authority during test conduct.
• Define performance metrics and success criteria, ensuring test data is actionable and traceable to requirements and mission outcomes.
• Lead flight test risk assessments, hazard analyses, and mitigation planning; enforce safety-of-flight discipline during operations.
• Serve as primary test interface to internal leadership, customers, and external stakeholders, providing clear reporting on test progress, results, and risks.
• Establish test standards, SOPs, and best practices aligned with industry and DoD DT&E/OT&E expectations.
• Document test results, anomalies, corrective actions, and lessons learned, driving continuous improvement across autonomy flight test efforts.
• Support travel to test sites, customer events, and integration activities as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional coordination

Strong communication

Attention to detail

Education

B.S. in STEM (Aerospace/Software/Computer Eng)

Tools

SIL

HIL

Simulation environments

Automated test pipelines

Flight test assets

Job description

Shield AI in the United States seeks a Senior Staff Flight Test Engineer to serve as the end-to-end Test Director for Hivemind Mission Autonomy on UAS. You will own test readiness, direct campaigns, and drive data-driven decisions from simulation to flight, leading cross-functional teams across engineering, safety, and program management.

You will define test strategy, enforce safety, and report progress to leadership and external stakeholders, enabling rapid, disciplined test execution and