Shield AI

Senior Staff Engineer, Test Director (R5446)

Shield AI$135K — $160K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • B.S. in a STEM discipline (Aerospace, Software, or Computer Engineering)
  • 7+ years in systems integration and flight test environments
  • Experience leading test execution and managing risk
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills
  • Highly organized and methodical in managing complex tests
  • Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
  • Commitment to integrity and collaborative team dynamics

Responsibilities

  • Act as Test Director for integration and flight test campaigns of Hivemind Mission Autonomy
  • Own test readiness decisions including entry/exit criteria
  • Plan and execute fly-fix-fly test campaigns with configuration control
  • Define and enforce test strategies and prioritization
  • Direct cross-functional test execution across various teams
  • Determine infrastructure needs including SIL and HIL environments
  • Approve test procedures and oversee execution during tests
  • Lead risk assessments and enforce safety of flight during operations
  • Serve as test interface to leadership and stakeholders
  • Establish test standards aligned with DoD DT&E/OT&E expectations
  • Document test results and drive continuous improvement

Benefits

  • Comprehensive full-time benefits package
  • Bonus potential
  • Equity opportunities
  • Temporary benefits after 60 days for contract employees
Full Job Description
As a Senior 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 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 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 environment Preferred Qualifications: • Working knowledge of DoD DT&E and OT&E processes and documentation expectations • Direct experience with UAS, autonomy, or robotic flight test operations • Prior role as Test Director, Test Conductor, or Lead Flight Test Engineer • Experience operating within DoD software and hardware laboratories or government flight test ranges • Familiarity with safety-of-flight processes, hazard analysis, and configuration control in flight test environments #LI-LD1 #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.

About Shield AI

Shield AI is a defense technology company that develops artificially intelligent systems for military applications. The company was founded in 2015 by Brandon Tseng, Ryan Tseng, and Andrew Reiter, and is headquartered in San Diego, California. Shield AI's products include autonomous drones and software that can be used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and other military operations. The company's mission is to reduce the number of military casualties by providing soldiers with better intelligence and situational awareness. Shield AI has received funding from a number of investors, including Andreessen Horowitz and Founders Fund.
Learn more about Shield AI
Size
200 employees
Industry
Founded
2015

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Shield AI

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Senior Staff Engineer, Test Director (R5446) jobs: