Senior Flight Test Engineer - Ground/Flight Ops + Equity

Shield AI; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Flight Test Engineer to develop, plan, execute, and analyze ground and flight test operations for next-gen aircraft systems. The role interfaces with engineering, operations, autonomy, systems integration, manufacturing, and customers to ensure test readiness and safety.

You will publish comprehensive flight test plans, coordinate pre-/in-flight activities, analyze telemetry data, and produce clear technical reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree).
• 8+ years of experience with ground and flight test, unmanned/manned aircraft systems, 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.

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 set up 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.

Skills

Flight test planning

Test execution

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Safety and compliance

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Outdoor work

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

Telemetry systems

Flight test equipment

IADS or similar display systems

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Flight Test Engineer to develop, plan, execute, and analyze ground and flight test operations for next-gen aircraft systems. The role interfaces with engineering, operations, autonomy, systems integration, manufacturing, and customers to ensure test readiness and safety.

You will publish comprehensive flight test plans, coordinate pre-/in-flight activities, analyze telemetry data, and produce clear technical reports.