Shield AI
Principal Flight Test Engineer, Next Gen Aircraft (R4004)
Shield AI, Wichita, Kansas, United States, 67232
Principal Flight Test Engineer, Next Gen Aircraft (R4004)
Join
Shield AI
as a Principal Flight Test Engineer for our next‑gen aircraft. Shield AI is a venture‑backed deep‑tech company dedicated to protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems.
As a Flight Test Engineer and Pilot in Command, you’ll operate at the intersection of engineering, operations, and flight‑test execution, directly shaping system performance and operational readiness for advanced platforms.
What you’ll do
Serve as Pilot in Command (PIC) of our next‑gen unmanned flight operations, ensuring strict adherence to safety and procedural standards.
Lead end‑to‑end test campaigns—planning and readiness reviews, mission execution, post‑flight data analysis, and reporting.
Design, document, and refine control‑room infrastructure and flight‑operations procedures to enhance mission efficiency and situational awareness.
Support control‑room operations, including console procedures, communications discipline, and coordination across flight, telemetry, and safety teams.
Develop and maintain test plans, test cards, hazard analyses, and data‑collection templates in coordination with engineering and test safety.
Conduct real‑time telemetry monitoring, anomaly identification, and flight‑data validation.
Perform post‑flight analysis and debriefs, delivering concise, actionable findings to engineering, autonomy, and systems teams.
Serve as test conductor during all mission events, managing test execution, crew communications, and dynamic re‑tasking under time‑critical conditions.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives in test process, instrumentation, telemetry systems, and data architecture.
Required qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering (or equivalent technical experience).
7+ years of experience in flight test or system test of advanced unmanned or manned aircraft systems.
Experience with experimental fighter or Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) flight test programs or equivalent complex system integration.
Demonstrated experience in control‑room design, development, and operations—including test conduct, communications discipline, and real‑time telemetry integration.
Hands‑on experience with flight‑test instrumentation, telemetry configuration, and data‑acquisition systems.
Test and engineering experience in aerodynamics/performance, loads and dynamics, propulsion, or electrical systems.
Proven ability to generate and execute flight‑operations procedures, develop mission scripts and test cards.
Familiarity with flight‑test risk management, pre‑flight briefings, and structured post‑flight debriefs.
Strong analytical skills and proficiency with MATLAB, Python, or similar tools for post‑flight analysis.
Working knowledge of military standards (e.g., MIL‑STD‑882E, MIL‑STD‑516C) and U.S. airspace regulations governing UAS operations.
Excellent technical writing and communication skills across engineering, operations, and leadership audiences.
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (or ability to obtain).
Preferred qualifications
Pilot certification (Private, Commercial, or higher) or prior military flight qualification.
Experience with large UAS development.
Background in DoD developmental or operational flight test (DT/OT, E-/T‑designated).
Familiarity with DO‑178C, MIL‑STD‑810, or airworthiness qualification standards.
Experience as Airworthiness or Test Safety Officer.
Compensation $205,031 – $256,289 per year. Full‑time regular employee offer package: pay within the listed range plus bonus, benefits, and equity.
EEO Statement Shield AI is proud to be an equal‑opportunity workplace and 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.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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Shield AI
as a Principal Flight Test Engineer for our next‑gen aircraft. Shield AI is a venture‑backed deep‑tech company dedicated to protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems.
As a Flight Test Engineer and Pilot in Command, you’ll operate at the intersection of engineering, operations, and flight‑test execution, directly shaping system performance and operational readiness for advanced platforms.
What you’ll do
Serve as Pilot in Command (PIC) of our next‑gen unmanned flight operations, ensuring strict adherence to safety and procedural standards.
Lead end‑to‑end test campaigns—planning and readiness reviews, mission execution, post‑flight data analysis, and reporting.
Design, document, and refine control‑room infrastructure and flight‑operations procedures to enhance mission efficiency and situational awareness.
Support control‑room operations, including console procedures, communications discipline, and coordination across flight, telemetry, and safety teams.
Develop and maintain test plans, test cards, hazard analyses, and data‑collection templates in coordination with engineering and test safety.
Conduct real‑time telemetry monitoring, anomaly identification, and flight‑data validation.
Perform post‑flight analysis and debriefs, delivering concise, actionable findings to engineering, autonomy, and systems teams.
Serve as test conductor during all mission events, managing test execution, crew communications, and dynamic re‑tasking under time‑critical conditions.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives in test process, instrumentation, telemetry systems, and data architecture.
Required qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering (or equivalent technical experience).
7+ years of experience in flight test or system test of advanced unmanned or manned aircraft systems.
Experience with experimental fighter or Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) flight test programs or equivalent complex system integration.
Demonstrated experience in control‑room design, development, and operations—including test conduct, communications discipline, and real‑time telemetry integration.
Hands‑on experience with flight‑test instrumentation, telemetry configuration, and data‑acquisition systems.
Test and engineering experience in aerodynamics/performance, loads and dynamics, propulsion, or electrical systems.
Proven ability to generate and execute flight‑operations procedures, develop mission scripts and test cards.
Familiarity with flight‑test risk management, pre‑flight briefings, and structured post‑flight debriefs.
Strong analytical skills and proficiency with MATLAB, Python, or similar tools for post‑flight analysis.
Working knowledge of military standards (e.g., MIL‑STD‑882E, MIL‑STD‑516C) and U.S. airspace regulations governing UAS operations.
Excellent technical writing and communication skills across engineering, operations, and leadership audiences.
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (or ability to obtain).
Preferred qualifications
Pilot certification (Private, Commercial, or higher) or prior military flight qualification.
Experience with large UAS development.
Background in DoD developmental or operational flight test (DT/OT, E-/T‑designated).
Familiarity with DO‑178C, MIL‑STD‑810, or airworthiness qualification standards.
Experience as Airworthiness or Test Safety Officer.
Compensation $205,031 – $256,289 per year. Full‑time regular employee offer package: pay within the listed range plus bonus, benefits, and equity.
EEO Statement Shield AI is proud to be an equal‑opportunity workplace and 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.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
#J-18808-Ljbffr