Crew Chief, Next Gen Aircraft (R4387)
Shield AI
USD 49-74 / year + Equity
Posted on Jan 13, 2026
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With nine offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the 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:
Shield AI is seeking a highly skilled and disciplined Crew Chief to support the development, testing, and maturation of X-BAT, the world’s first autonomous VTOL jet aircraft. The Crew Chief is responsible for leading ground operations, ensuring aircraft readiness, maintaining configuration and documentation accuracy, and overseeing a team of technicians and operators during high-tempo test activities.
What you'll do:
- Lead all ground operations for X-BAT including pre-test inspections, engine start procedures, hover preparation, post-test shutdown, and system configuration verification.
- Maintain strict configuration control across all aircraft systems and ensure readiness documentation is accurate and current.
- Execute ground operations in accordance with test cards, safety plans, and engineering requirements.
- Direct and supervise technicians and operators in support of daily test activities and field deployments.
- Conduct troubleshooting of propulsion, electrical, avionics, and mechanical systems and coordinate corrective actions with engineering teams.
- Implement and enforce all safety procedures, hazard controls, PPE requirements, and test-area access restrictions.
- Manage ground support equipment, tools, consumables, and spares to ensure mission readiness.
- Contribute to root-cause investigations, anomaly resolution, and continuous improvement of operational processes.
- Support test logistics planning, field-site setup, and teardown.
- Represent the X-BAT program with professionalism and alignment to Shield AI’s mission and values.
Required qualifications:
- 10+ years of aviation maintenance experience with military or commercial aircraft.
- Hands-on experience with propulsion systems, flight controls, unmanned aircraft, or developmental aerospace programs.
- Demonstrated leadership experience directing small teams in operational or maintenance environments.
- Strong understanding of safety protocols, ground test operations, and risk management practices.
- Proven ability to diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, or avionics issues under time and operational pressure.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to interface effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Ability to travel frequently and support extended field test deployments as required.
- Ability to obtain and maintain relevant clearances or certifications if needed.
Preferred qualifications:
- Prior experience as a Crew Chief or Lead Maintainer.
- Experience with VTOL aircraft, tail-sitter platforms, turbine propulsion, or autonomous systems.
- Familiarity with flight test operations, test readiness reviews, and data collection processes.
- FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification or military equivalent.
- Experience with structured safety processes such as ORM, THA, or SMS.
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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.
49 - 74 USD