Senior Staff Flight Test Engineer (R2634)
Shield AI
This job is no longer accepting applications
See open jobs at Shield AI.See open jobs similar to "Senior Staff Flight Test Engineer (R2634)" Homebrew.What you'll do:
- Own and execute the system-level test strategy for the V-BAT UAV across lab, ground, and flight environments.
- Lead multi-disciplinary teams in the development, execution, and analysis of complex ground and flight test campaigns.
- Serve as principal test conductor during critical operations, overseeing flight readiness reviews, risk assessments, pre- and post-flight briefs, and safety-critical decision-making.
- Define and manage test configurations, including aircraft hardware, ground control systems, software baselines, and instrumentation assets.
- Develop and enforce standard operating procedures, test documentation standards, and continuous improvement practices across the test organization.
- Mentor junior and mid-level engineers on test engineering best practices, systems thinking, and root cause analysis.
- Drive out-of-cycle investigative test efforts, coordinating directly with engineering and product teams to validate new capabilities or resolve emergent issues rapidly.
- Lead qualification efforts, including Functional Acceptance Testing, test procedure development, and integration of hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop platforms.
- Collaborate closely with systems engineering, software, mechanical, and avionics teams to ensure verification activities trace to requirements and mission objectives.
- Author and present artifacts for safety reviews, regulatory submissions, and customer-facing technical documentation.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline.
- 10+ years of experience in flight test engineering, with a proven track record of leading UAV or aircraft test programs from concept through validation.
- Deep experience designing, planning, executing, and analyzing both developmental and qualification test events.
- Demonstrated success working in cross-functional teams, especially in systems integration and root cause resolution.
- Hands-on proficiency with flight test instrumentation, telemetry systems, test planning tools, and post-flight data analysis.
- Exceptional communication and leadership skills, capable of influencing technical direction and driving execution in high-stakes environments.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive under pressure in a dynamic flight test environment.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with MATLAB, Python, or similar tools for test automation and data analysis.
- Familiarity with MIL-STD-810 or other military environmental test protocols.
- Prior experience with UAV operations, flight safety protocols, and FAA Part 107 operations.
- Experience building or prototyping small aircraft or RC systems.
- Proven background in leading R&D test programs in fast-paced or startup environments.
This job is no longer accepting applications
See open jobs at Shield AI.See open jobs similar to "Senior Staff Flight Test Engineer (R2634)" Homebrew.