Flight Test Engineer, Advanced Aircraft Systems

f7d8749a-72d6-407c-bf98-292ea630c73a; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI seeks an experienced Flight Test Engineer to develop, plan, execute, and analyze ground and flight test operations for a next-gen aircraft system. You will collaborate with engineering, operations, autonomy, and product support to ensure system readiness and mission success.

You will lead test planning, integration testing, data analysis, and test reporting while coordinating safety reviews, go/no-go decisions, and field operations across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree).
• 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, fields, or test range environments.
• Overtime and weekend coverage as required.
• U.S. Citizenship Only with In-Scope active Secret clearance required to start.

Responsibilities

• Develop, publish, and execute comprehensive flight test plans, procedures, cards, risk assessments, safety, and readiness reviews.
• Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground control systems, and mission equipment.
• Lead and coordinate pre-flight, flight, and post-flight activities, including system configuration, instrumentation, telemetry, data collection and test reports.
• Analyze ground and flight test data to identify performance trends, anomalies, root causes, and corrective actions.
• Coordinate with engineering teams to validate requirements, troubleshoot issues, and mature system capabilities.
• Lead or participate in test range operations, safety briefings, go/no-go decisions, and test setup and logistics.
• Document test results, lessons learned, anomalies, and recommendations in clear technical reports.
• Support aircraft maintenance, configuration control, and system readiness.
• Create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements.
• Travel to test sites, customer locations, and field exercises as required.

Skills

Flight test planning

Systems integration

Troubleshooting

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Field work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Tools

Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS)

Telemetry systems

Flight test instrumentation

Job description

Shield AI seeks an experienced Flight Test Engineer to develop, plan, execute, and analyze ground and flight test operations for a next-gen aircraft system. You will collaborate with engineering, operations, autonomy, and product support to ensure system readiness and mission success.

You will lead test planning, integration testing, data analysis, and test reporting while coordinating safety reviews, go/no-go decisions, and field operations across multiple sites.