Staff Engineer, Flight Test (R6305)

Shield AI•Wichita Metro Area, KS

About The Position

Shield AI is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Flight Test Engineer to develop, plan, execute, and analyze ground and flight test operations for a next-generation aircraft system. The role works closely with engineering, operations, autonomy, systems integration, product support, manufacturing, and customers. It includes developing test plans and procedures, supporting aircraft and system integration, coordinating flight-test activities, analyzing test data, and improving flight-test processes and operational readiness. The position requires travel to test sites, customer locations, and field exercises, and may require overtime and weekend coverage.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM).
At least 8 years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned or 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 laboratory environments.
Excellent communication skills and ability to work across engineering and operations teams.
Willingness to travel and work outdoors, in fields, or in test-range environments.
Overtime and weekend coverage as required.
U.S. citizenship.
In-scope active Secret clearance required to start.

Nice To Haves

At least 2 years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned aircraft systems, aircraft integration, or aerospace systems engineering.
Experience with 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 a similar developmental FTI display system.
Experience leading or supporting developmental flight-test campaigns from design through planning and execution, including reporting.

Responsibilities

Develop, publish, and execute comprehensive flight-test plans, procedures, test cards, risk assessments, safety reviews, and readiness reviews.
Support integration and testing of aircraft systems, payloads, communications and 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 reporting.
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, test setup, and logistics.
Document test results, lessons learned, anomalies, and recommendations in 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.