Maintenance Technician, Next Gen Aircraft (R4419)

Shield AI•Wichita, KS

2d•$40 - $61

About The Position

Shield AI is seeking a highly skilled Maintenance Technician to support the development, testing, and maturation of X-BAT, the worldâs first autonomous VTOL jet aircraft. This role is responsible for hands-on maintenance, inspection, troubleshooting, and repair of propulsion, airframe, avionics, and support systems in a fast-paced experimental flight test environment. The Maintenance Technician will work closely with Flight Test, Propulsion, Crew Chief, and Engineering teams to ensure aircraft readiness, configuration integrity, and safe execution of ground and flight operations. This position requires strong technical depth, disciplined maintenance practices, and experience working with turbine-powered aircraft.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent; technical or vocational training in aviation maintenance strongly preferred.
FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification.
5+ years of hands-on aircraft maintenance experience with turbine-powered or jet aircraft.
Demonstrated experience performing maintenance, inspection, and troubleshooting on propulsion systems.
Strong understanding of aircraft mechanical, electrical, fuel, and avionics systems.
Experience working in experimental, flight test, or developmental aviation environments.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, maintenance manuals, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to configuration control and maintenance discipline.
Ability to work safely and effectively in high-tempo test operations.
Willingness and ability to travel and support extended field test deployments.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience maintaining experimental, prototype, or developmental aircraft.
Experience supporting jet engine test programs, engine runs, or hover test operations.
Background in military or high-performance aviation maintenance environments.
Familiarity with unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or autonomous platforms.
Experience working alongside flight test engineers and instrumentation teams.
Knowledge of structured safety and risk management processes (ORM, THA, SMS).
Ability to obtain and maintain required security clearances, if applicable.

Responsibilities

Perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on X-BAT air vehicle systems including propulsion, fuel, electrical, avionics, and flight control subsystems.
Execute inspections, servicing, troubleshooting, and corrective maintenance in accordance with engineering instructions, maintenance procedures, and test requirements.
Support jet engine operations including installation, removal, borescope inspections, servicing, and post-run inspections.
Assist with engine run, hover, and flight test preparations including pre-test inspections, configuration verification, and post-test discrepancy resolution.
Maintain accurate maintenance records, logbooks, configuration status, and discrepancy tracking documentation.
Collaborate with engineers and technicians to diagnose mechanical, electrical, or avionics anomalies and implement corrective actions.
Support ground support equipment (GSE) operation, inspection, and upkeep.
Adhere to all safety, hazard control, PPE, and test area access requirements.
Participate in root-cause investigations, corrective action implementation, and continuous improvement of maintenance processes.
Support field deployments, remote test sites, and extended test operations as required.