Senior Flight Test Engineer (R2634)

Job Description:

Are you a passionate and innovative flight test engineer with deep hands-on experience in aircraft system-level testing? Are you looking to apply your expertise to cutting-edge AI and robotics technologies with real-world impact? At Shield AI, we’re building the future of autonomous flight—and we’re looking for a mission-driven, technically excellent Senior Flight Test Engineer to help lead the way.

As a Senior Flight Test Engineer, you will own the integration, test planning, and flight verification processes for our vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAVs, with a focus on mission capability, system performance, and flightworthiness. You’ll operate at the center of fast-paced product development and R&D efforts, collaborating cross-functionally to ensure our systems are rigorously tested, iterated on quickly, and delivered with excellence.

What you'll do:

• Lead the end-to-end planning, execution, and post-analysis of complex ground and flight test campaigns for the V-BAT unmanned aircraft system.
• Serve as a flight test conductor during operations, leading pre-flight briefings, flight readiness reviews, and debriefs to ensure mission clarity and team alignment.
• Guide hardware and software troubleshooting and modifications based on real-time data and test results.
• Mentor junior engineers and operators in test design, execution, and flight safety practices.
• Perform risk assessments and develop test hazard analyses (THAs) and mitigation strategies to ensure safety of flight and compliance with test standards.
• Develop and maintain detailed test plans, test cards, and post-test reports to support iterative development and system validation.
• Collaborate closely with avionics, software, and mechanical teams to drive resolution of issues and validation of requirements.
• Identify and implement improvements to the flight test process, infrastructure, and toolchain to improve speed, safety, and reliability of testing.

Required qualifications:

• B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related STEM field.
• 5+ years of direct, hands-on experience in UAV or aircraft flight testing.
• Demonstrated ownership of major flight test efforts, including campaign planning, flight execution, and technical reporting.
• Strong understanding of aircraft systems, flight controls, telemetry, instrumentation, and test safety.
• Proven experience in cross-functional collaboration and leading test events in high-stakes environments.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience delivering technical debriefs, reports, and risk assessments.
• Track record of thriving in fast-paced, iterative development environments.
• Comfortable working onsite in dynamic, hands-on testing environments (airfield, hangar, etc.).

Preferred qualifications:

• Proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python for data analysis and scripting.
• Experience building or prototyping small aircraft, UAVs, or RC systems.
• Familiarity with FAA Part 107 operations or flight safety protocols.
• Hands-on design experience (mechanical or electrical subsystems).
• Background in startup or advanced R&D flight test programs.