Principal Flight Test Engineer, Next Gen Aircraft (R4004)
Shield AI
Full-time
On-site
Wichita Metro Area, Kansas, United States
Aviation Tech
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With nine offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the 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 redefining autonomous aviation with cutting-edge AI and GPS/RF-denied navigation technologies. Now, we’re building a next-generation aircraft like no other - one that will push the boundaries of innovation and performance.
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 our most advanced platforms. You’ll be responsible for safe, data-driven flight testing of large UAS, developing and refining test infrastructure, and leading mission-critical evaluations that accelerate fielded capability. If you excel in cross-functional collaboration, thrive in fast-moving environments, and are passionate about pushing the limits of power system design, we want to hear from you.
What you'll do:
- Serve as Pilot in Command (PIC) our next gen unmanned flight operations, ensuring strict adherence to safety and procedural standards
- Lead end-to-end test campaigns - from planning and readiness reviews through 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, comms 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, comms 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, and 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
$205,031 - $256,289 a year
#LI-AA1
#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 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.