Lead Flight Test Engineer

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI’s technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide. For more information, visit Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X , YouTube and Instagram.

Job Description:

At Shield AI, we build cutting-edge autonomous aircraft that protect service members and civilians alike. Our mission is urgent, and our products are deployed in real-world operations today. We're looking for a Lead Flight Test Engineer to shape the next generation of autonomous aerial systems—and define how we test, validate, and launch them safely into the world.

In this high-impact, hands-on role, you’ll take point on flight-critical test campaigns for our VTOL UAVs—planning, executing, and iterating at speed. You’ll mentor fellow flight test engineers, set the technical tone, and help drive a world-class test culture that blends rigor, velocity, and operational focus.

This isn’t just another flight test role—it’s a chance to help build the foundation of how advanced autonomous aircraft are tested and deployed at scale. You’ll work on mission-critical systems alongside engineers and operators who are passionate about the work, and your decisions will directly shape the safety, performance, and impact of some of the most sophisticated aerial platforms in the world.

Ready to fly with us?

What you'll do:

• Lead the system-level test strategy for our V-BAT UAV—from the lab bench to full flight test.
• Plan and execute complex, multi-phase test campaigns in collaboration with cross-functional teams across hardware, software, and autonomy.
• Act as the principal test conductor during flight operations, leading readiness reviews, risk assessments, and go/no-go decisions in real time.
• Own test configurations and ensure traceability across hardware, software, and GCS systems.
• Develop and enforce best-in-class processes for documentation, test execution, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and guide other flight test engineers, sharing deep experience in flight sciences, test design, and root cause analysis.
• Drive fast-turn, high-priority tests to validate new capabilities, debug challenging issues, or support rapid deployment timelines.
• Lead verification and qualification efforts, including FAT, HIL/SIL integration, and documentation for both internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Partner closely with autonomy, avionics, systems, and mechanical teams to ensure test coverage aligns with mission goals and performance requirements.
• Represent the test team in safety reviews, design forums, and customer-facing technical discussions.

Required qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related STEM field.
• 10+ years of experience leading flight test efforts, ideally on UAVs or other complex autonomous platforms.
• Proven ability to run full-lifecycle test programs—from planning to flight to post-mortem.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and a systems-level mindset.
• Deep knowledge of flight instrumentation, telemetry systems, data analysis, and post-flight reporting.
• Exceptional communication and leadership—clear under pressure, calm in a crisis, and decisive when it counts.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with MATLAB, Python, or other tools for test automation and analysis.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-810 or similar qualification protocols.
• UAV operational experience (especially under FAA Part 107).
• Background building or flying small UAVs, RC aircraft, or early-stage prototypes.
• Prior work in fast-paced, R&D-heavy environments where speed and safety go hand in hand.

$167,935 - $251,903 a year

#LI-JM2

#LE

Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.