Flight Test Engineer, Staff (R5898)
Shield AI· Aircraft Operations Division – Flight Test X-BAT
Dallas, TX, Washington, DC$115k - $215kFull Time EmployeePosted 5mo ago
About the role
Experienced Flight Test Engineer to plan, execute, analyze, and improve ground and flight test operations for a next-gen aircraft system, collaborating across engineering, operations, autonomy, systems integration, product support, and manufacturing.
Responsibilities
- Develop, publish, and execute comprehensive flight test plans, procedures, cards, risk assessments, safety, and readiness reviews
- Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/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 reports
- 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, and test setup and logistics
- Document test results, lessons learned, anomalies, and recommendations in clear 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
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree)
- 5-10 years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned/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 lab environments
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work across engineering and operations teams
- Willingness and ability to travel up to 80% for candidates not based in the Wichita Metro Area, including travel to test sites, ranges, and other field locations
- Overtime and weekend coverage as required
- Active Secret Security Clearance
Skills
Required:Flight test planningData analysis of flight/test dataSystems integration
Nice to have:Test range operations
Benefits
- Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
- Temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
- Salary compensation is influenced by skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and location
- Equal employment opportunity and accommodation policy
Last updated Oct 23, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
About Shield AI
Autonomy for the world.
Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.
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