Senior Staff Engineer, Test Director (R5446)

Shield AI
Washington
Workplace: OnsiteFull timeUSD 171,680 - 257,520 annuallyFunction: Executive & General ManagementEducation: bachelorsSkills: ["Communication","Organization","Risk management","Integrity","Accountability"]

Own end-to-end integration, verification, and flight test execution for Hivemind Mission Autonomy on unmanned aircraft systems. Lead fly–fix–fly test campaigns across lab, simulation, ground, and flight phases, making readiness, risk, and entry/exit decisions. Define test strategy, infrastructure, procedures, success metrics, and safety-of-flight practices. Coordinate cross-functional engineering and program stakeholders, document results and lessons learned, and serve as a primary test interface for leadership and external partners.

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FursaFursa
Shield AI
Shield AI
2 days ago

Senior Staff Engineer, Test Director (R5446)

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Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 6 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Own end-to-end integration, verification, and flight test execution for Hivemind Mission Autonomy on unmanned aircraft systems. Lead fly–fix–fly test campaigns across lab, simulation, ground, and flight phases, making readiness, risk, and entry/exit decisions. Define test strategy, infrastructure, procedures, success metrics, and safety-of-flight practices. Coordinate cross-functional engineering and program stakeholders, document results and lessons learned, and serve as a primary test interface for leadership and external partners.
Location: Washington
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Executive & General Management
Seniority: Mid level

Key Responsibilities

  • •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 with disciplined configuration control and safety.
  • •Define and enforce test strategy, system-level verification/validation, test phasing, and objective prioritization.
  • •Lead risk assessments and safety-of-flight discipline; document results, anomalies, corrective actions, and lessons learned.

Pay and Benefits

Salary: USD 171,680 - 257,520 annually
Equity and Bonus:Equity
Perks:Equity

Key Requirements

  • •B.S. in a STEM discipline (Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related).
  • •7+ years of experience in system integration and test across SIL, HIL, simulation, and flight test environments.
  • •Demonstrated experience leading test execution with authority over test conduct, readiness, and risk decisions.
  • •Strong cross-functional background with systems engineering, software, hardware, safety, and program management teams.
  • •Working knowledge of DoD DT&E and OT&E processes and documentation expectations.
Experience:Defense techUnmanned systemsAutonomyFlight testingDoD testing
Education:Bachelor's
Skills:CommunicationOrganizationRisk managementIntegrityAccountability
Tech Stack:Hivemind Mission AutonomyUASSILHILSimulationFlight testConfiguration controlHazard analysisDoD DT&EDoD OT&E

Company Brief

Shield AI
Develops AI-powered autonomy and software for military aircraft and drones to enable autonomous ISR and combat missions, integrating perception, navigation, and mission planning for defense customers.
Industry: Defense Technology
Company Size: Large (251 to 1,000 employees)
Growth: Scaleup
Funding: Series E+
Headquarters: San Diego, United States
Founded: 2015
WebsiteLinkedIn