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Senior Staff Engineer, Test Director (R5446)

Shield AI· Hivemind Solutions Division – Integration & Test
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Washington, DC$171.7k - $257.5kFull Time EmployeePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Senior Staff Flight Test Engineer / Test Director responsible for end-to-end testing, integration, verification, and flight testing of Hivemind Mission Autonomy on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Leads test campaigns from simulation/lab to flight, acts as the technical authority for test execution, and coordi­nates cross-functional teams to ensure data-driven decisions, safety, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

  • Act as Test Director for system-level integration and flight test campaigns of Hivemind Mission Autonomy on UAS and external platforms
  • Own test readiness decisions, including entry/exit criteria for lab, simulation, ground, and flight test phases
  • Plan, direct, and execute fly–fix–fly test campaigns, ensuring rapid iteration while maintaining disciplined configuration control and safety
  • Define and enforce test strategy, including system-level verification and validation, test phasing, and prioritization of objectives
  • Direct cross-functional test execution, coordinating across various engineering disciplines and test operators
  • Determine test infrastructure requirements, including SIL, HIL, simulation environments, flight test assets, and automated test pipelines
  • Approve and oversee test procedures, test cards, and execution plans, serving as the final authority during test conduct
  • Define performance metrics and success criteria, ensuring test data is actionable and traceable to requirements and mission outcomes
  • Lead flight test risk assessments, hazard analyses, and mitigation planning; enforce safety-of-flight discipline during operations
  • Serve as primary test interface to internal leadership, customers, and external stakeholders, providing clear reporting on test progress, results, and risks
  • Establish test standards, SOPs, and best practices aligned with industry and DoD DT&E/OT&E expectations
  • Document test results, anomalies, corrective actions, and lessons learned, driving continuous improvement across autonomy flight test efforts
  • Support travel to test sites, customer events, and integration activities as required
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

  • B.S. degree in a STEM discipline (Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field)
  • 7+ years of experience in system integration and test, including SIL, HIL, simulation, and flight test environments
  • Demonstrated experience leading test execution, including authority over test conduct, readiness, and risk decisions
  • Strong background working cross-functionally with systems engineering, software, hardware, safety, and program management teams
  • Highly organized and methodical, with the ability to manage complex, fast-paced test campaigns
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including briefing technical status to leadership and customers
  • Demonstrated integrity, accountability, and commitment to high standards while fostering a collaborative, respectful team environment

Skills

Required:Test leadership and governanceSystem integration and verificationCross-functional collaboration

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