Senior Staff Engineer, Test Director (R5445)

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Job Description: As a Staff Flight Test Engineer / Test Director, you will serve as the end-to-end Test Director for the integration, verification, and flight test of Hivemind Mission Autonomy on small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). You will own the technical direction, execution, and readiness of test campaigns, applying a fly–fix–fly methodology to rapidly mature autonomy capabilities from simulation and lab environments through flight.  In this role, you are the single technical authority for test execution—responsible for determining test readiness, directing test conduct, managing risk, and ensuring data-driven decisions throughout development and flight test operations. You will lead cross-functional teams across engineering, safety, and program management, aligning stakeholders around clear objectives, disciplined execution, and continuous learning. 

What you'll do:

Act as Test Director for system-level integration and flight test campaigns of Hivemind Mission Autonomy on small 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 

Required 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 environm …