Staff Engineer, Flight Test (R6064)

As a Hivemind Solutions Staff Integration & Flight Test Engineer (ACP Programs), you will serve as a key contributor for the integration, verification, and flight test of Hivemind AI Pilot capabilities on Group 5 UAS/Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP). 

You will translate program objectives into executable integration and flight test plans across multiple test environments.  Using disciplined test, analysis, and feedback methodologies, you will drive rapid capability maturation while maintaining rigorous safety, configuration control, and mission assurance standards. 

This role serves as the technical contributor for integration and flight test execution on assigned ACP programs, responsible for coordinating test readiness, managing technical and safety risk, and leading day-to-day test execution.  Here, you will serve as the primary focal point to facilitate coordination across internal program leadership and functional teams, OEM partners, and government customers and stakeholders to deliver high-impact autonomy capabilities at scale.  Successful candidates are curious engineers who use disciplined integration and flight test to generate knowledge, reduce technical risk, and accelerate delivery of operational capability. 

Develop and execute detailed integration and flight test plans that support the overall program verification and test strategy across simulation, SIL, HIL, ground, and flight test environments 

Coordinate readiness of simulation environments, integration laboratories, aircraft, and flight test assets required to execute program objectives 

Apply aviation knowledge, aircraft performance and operational mission understanding to develop safe, efficient, and operationally relevant integration and flight test plans 

Define test objectives, performance metrics, and success criteria, ensuring traceability from requirements to test outcomes and operational capability 

Lead and support aircraft integration and flight test activities, including system configuration, software integration, mission planning, real-time troubleshooting, flight execution support, and post-flight data analysis 

Coordinate with platform OEMs, government ranges, and flight operations personnel to establish test readiness criteria and ensure technical and safety requirements are satisfied prior to test execution 

Coordinate cross-functional execution across software, hardware, systems engineering, flight operations, safety, and program leadership teams 

Evaluate test results, identify technical issues, and recommend corrective actions to improve system performance and accelerate capability maturation 

Typically requires 8+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 6+ years with a Master’s 

Demonstrated experience planning, conducting, and evaluating flight test of aircraft systems in military or defense aviation environments 

Strong understanding of safety-of-flight principles, risk management, and disciplined test execution in aviation environments 

Demonstrated understanding of aircraft performance, flight operations, and environmental effects influencing aircraft mission planning, test execution, and safety 

Experience with system-level verification & validation across multiple test environments (SIL, HIL, simulation, and flight) 

Experience working cross-functionally across software, hardware, avionics, systems engineering, safety, and program teams 

Experience with scripting or software tools (Python preferred) for test automation, data analysis, or system validation 

Ability to effectively communicate with pilots, operators, and engineers to develop executable flight test objectives, mission plans, and risk mitigations 

Excellent technical leadership and communication skills, including briefing to program leadership and external customers 

Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance; U.S. citizenship required 

Military aviation experience as aircrew, flight test engineer, mission systems operator, or engineer supporting military aircraft development or test programs 

Prior role as Flight Test Director, Test Conductor, or Lead Flight Test Engineer on full-scale aircraft programs 

Understanding of military air operations, mission planning, and Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) supporting autonomous aircraft employment 

Experience supporting Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP), loyal wingman concepts, or multi-vehicle autonomous systems 

Familiarity with DoD acquisition and developmental test processes 

Experience operating in or supporting government flight test ranges and operational environments 

Background in autonomy, AI/ML-enabled systems, or human-machine teaming in aviation contexts 

Experience with airworthiness processes, flight clearance, and configuration control for aircraft systems 

Familiarity with tools such as Git, Jira/Azure DevOps, and CI/CD pipelines 

Active SECRET clearance 

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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.