Senior Engineer, Flight Test (R5371)

The role

This senior engineer will lead system-level integration and flight test campaigns for the Hivemind autonomy platform on small UAS and external platforms. The role includes writing test strategies, owning test readiness and phase-gate decisions, and analyzing flight logs to find root causes.

What you will do

• Lead system-level integration and flight test campaigns for Hivemind Mission Autonomy across small UAS and external platforms.
• Develop and execute test strategies, plans, scenarios and success criteria for autonomy capabilities and customer workflows.
• Own test readiness and phase-gate decisions across simulation, SIL, HIL, ground and flight testing.
• Plan, direct and execute fly-fix-fly campaigns with cross-functional engineering teams and test operators.
• Approve test procedures, test cards and execution plans; lead risk assessments and hazard analyses.
• Define and maintain test infrastructure, including simulation environments, flight assets and automated test pipelines.
• Analyze flight logs, telemetry and rosbags to identify defects, root causes and corrective actions.
• Serve as the primary test interface to leadership, customers and external stakeholders.

Required qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 4 years and a Master's degree, or equivalent work experience.
• Experience in system integration and test, including SIL, HIL, simulation and flight test environments.
• Highly organized and methodical, able to manage complex, fast-paced test campaigns.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for safety-of-flight processes, hazard analysis and configuration control.
• Strong problem-solving skills to analyze flight logs, telemetry and system behavior to find root causes.
• Ability to collaborate across software, hardware, product and test organizations.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, or the ability to obtain one within a reasonable timeframe.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with networking, Linux operating systems and radio communications.
• Experience with hardware design selection and 3D prototyping.
• Experience with modern software interfaces such as Codex and GitLab.
• Experience with open-source flight controller software and sensor integration.
• Experience debugging autonomy subsystems through ROS logs.
• Experience developing automated test tooling, validation frameworks or data analysis tools in CI/CD pipelines.

Benefits

• Bonus for full-time regular employees.
• Benefits for full-time regular employees.
• Equity for full-time regular employees.
• Temporary benefits package for temporary employees, applicable after 60 days of employment.

Before you apply

• All offers are contingent on a cleared background check and possible reference check.
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits.

About the company

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company that builds intelligent systems to protect service members and civilians. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation technologies.