Flight Test Engineer, Staff (R5006)

The Rundown AI, Inc.; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI in Wichita, Kansas is looking for an experienced Flight Test Engineer to join their team. You will be responsible for planning and executing flight test operations for next-gen aircraft systems, requiring collaboration with various engineering teams.

The ideal candidate must possess a Bachelor's degree in a STEM field, along with 5–10 years of relevant experience. Responsibilities include developing test plans and analyzing data to ensure safety and efficiency in flight operations.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of experience with ground and flight test operations.
• Strong understanding of aircraft systems and avionics.
• Proven ability to write structured test plans and reports.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute flight test plans and procedures.
• Analyze test data to identify performance trends and anomalies.
• Lead pre-flight, flight, and post-flight activities.

Skills

Flight test planning

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Aeronautics

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Tools

Telemetry systems

Job description

Job Description

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.

What you'll do

• 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 improve flight test processes, tools, data workflows, and operational efficiency
• Create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements
• Travel to test sites, customer locations, and field exercises as required

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree)
• 5–10 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

Preferred qualifications

• 10+ years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned aircraft systems, aircraft integration, or aerospace systems engineering
• Experience in Group 4-5 UAS and/or fighter type capability or similar weapons systems
• Familiarity with FAA, DoW, and test range flight operations
• Experience with autonomy, navigation, mission planning, and Command-and-Control (C2) systems
• Hands‑on experience with aircraft maintenance, avionics integration, payload integration, and ground support equipment
• Experience with telemetry systems, flight and data logs, sensor data, datalinks, and RF systems
• Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or crewed aviation experience
• Proven Mission Control Room experience using Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS) or similar development FTI display system
• Experience leading or supporting developmental flight test campaigns from design through planning and execution to include reporting

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a 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.

Equal Opportunity

Shield AI is a proud 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.