Senior Flight Test Engineer

Shieldai in Dallas Metro Area

Introduction to Shield AI
Shield AI’s mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Shield AI is a fast growing, venture-backed defense-technology company built around a team of proven executives, distinguished warfighters, and world-class AI engineers. Since 2018, Shield AI’s products and people have supported operations around the world with the US Department of Defense and our allies.


Are you a passionate, innovative, experienced Flight Test Engineer looking to help develop state-of-the-art AI and advanced unmanned systems? Are you eager to make a positive difference in the world? Do you want to work alongside mission driven and values focused teammates? Shield AI is just the place for you!

As a Flight Test Engineer, you will support the creation, execution, and analysis of ground and flight test plans for products in R&D. You will work with a cross-functional team within Shield AI to develop flight test routines, collect and analyze testing data to assess product performance, identify a product’s design strengths and areas for improvement, and communicate results and recommendations to the engineering organization via detailed test reports.




Salary Range:  Base + Bonus + Benefits + Equity (if applicable)
Actual 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. Information on the benefits offered is here. All offers are contingent on a cleared background check.

Location guidelines-
Onsite = 5 days/week
Hybrid = Several days in the office
Remote = Remote but able to come to the office as requested for business needs

If you're interested in being part of our team, apply now!

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.
To conform to U.S. Government regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
    • Flight Test Documentation
    • Create test plans with a roadmap of flight-testing needs that are traceable to program requirements
    • Write Test Hazard Analyses to identify, track, and mitigate risks
    • Create flight test cards with detailed step-by-step instructions for individual flights
    • Conduct safety and flight readiness reviews
    • Maintain and updated flight checklists as required
    • Create flight test plans and reports
    • Balance the testing progression risk/reward based on program goals and in collaboration with subsystem experts
    • Data Analysis
    • Collect and analyze ground and flight test data; Data to be collected will include system health, flight controller performance, aerodynamic performance, propulsion efficiency, and communications
    • Participate in or lead post-flight debriefing
    • Identify unexpected vehicle behavior via observations during flight, telemetry and log data, and provide a summary for engineering to review
    • Generate bug reports for unexpected behavior with details of the behavior and conditions where the behavior was observed
    • Provide insightful feedback to controls, software, and aero performance engineers
    • Learn and diagnose avionics and propulsion subsystem behavior
    • Perform historical data mining for trend analysis and system characterization
    • Lab and Field Testing
    • Conduct virtual flight test through Hardware and Software simulation
    • Participate in or lead pre-flight planning including mission briefings, weather forecasts, Notice to Airmen (NOTAMS), and airspace requirements
    • Ensure flight testing equipment readiness, operations, and safety
    • Perform the role of Test Conductor during field testing and ensure flight test cards are followed to achieve test objects. Record any deviations from the test plans
    • Occasional travel to remote and austere testing locations
    • 5+ years of experience in Flight Test Engineering related field
    • B.S. degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
    • Experience with Flight Test Engineering practices and principals, including writing, organizing, and verifying requirements
    • Experience with MATLAB and Excel for data plotting and analysis
    • Experience with reliability and trend analysis
    • Experience working in cross-functional teams
    • Strong communication skills, both written and verbally
    • Demonstrated record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others
    • The ability to obtain and maintain a US Security Clearance. US citizenship is required as only US citizens are eligible for a security clearance

      • #LI-AC1
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