Staff Engineer, Flight Test (R6305)

Shield; Texas; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI seeks a seasoned Flight Test Engineer to develop and lead ground and flight test operations for next-gen aircraft systems. You will collaborate across engineering, operations, autonomy, and manufacturing to validate requirements, troubleshoot issues, and mature capabilities. The role requires a STEM degree, 8+ years in flight test, and willingness to travel to test ranges.

Estimated salary ranges from $120,000 to $190,000 per year, with bonus, benefits, and equity. U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree).
• 8+ 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.
• 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 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 engineering

Structured test plans

Troubleshooting

Excellent communication

Travel readiness

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree)

Tools

IADS

Job description

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-BATaircraft, 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 www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description:

Shield AI is seeking an highly motivated and experienced Flight Test Engineer to develop, plan, execute, and analyze 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, manufacturing, and customers.

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)
• 8+ 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

Preferred qualifications:

• 2+ 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 practical, detail-oriented engineer who is comfortable in control rooms, hangar/maintenance areas, solving complex problems, taking ownership, rapid decision-making, and hands-on engineering concept 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 to field to the operators quickly.

$120,000 - $190,000 a year

#LI-JM1

#LD

Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

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

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 toequal 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.