Flight Test Engineering Manager at Shield AI

Dallas, Texas, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Defense, AerospaceIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM field
8+ years of system-level flight test experience, with at least 2+ years in a technical leadership or management role
Demonstrated ability to lead complex flight test programs for UAVs or autonomous aerospace systems
Experience with full-lifecycle test development—planning, execution, analysis, and reporting
Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills across engineering and operations teams
Working knowledge of flight instrumentation, telemetry systems, and post-processing tools
Experience with military or FAA-certified flight test environments is highly desirable
Excellent leadership, organizational skills

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and manage a team of 4–6 mission-driven Flight Test Engineers across multiple test sites and programs
Own the test strategy and execution for our V-BAT UAV and other autonomous platforms—from lab validation through full system flight test
Serve as the technical authority and Test Director for critical campaigns, overseeing test readiness, real-time mission execution, risk assessments, and safety protocols
Oversee detailed test plans, procedures, and schedules for developmental and operational flight testing
Collaborate cross-functionally with subsystem leads across autonomy, avionics, GNC, mechanical, and systems to define test objectives and translate them into executable plans
Establish and track performance metrics to optimize team efficiency and reduce test cycle time
Drive data-driven engineering by building out telemetry pipelines, post-flight analysis workflows, and robust reporting standards
Ensure adherence to all relevant safety and airworthiness processes, as well as FAA and DoD regulatory requirements
Approve and manage key test documentation including test plans, readiness reviews, hazard analyses, and final reports
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence, and technical rigor in test methodology
Support verification and qualification efforts including SIL/HIL, FAT, and customer-facing documentation
Guide incident response and root cause analysis processes in the event of anomalies or failures
Represent the Flight Test team in technical reviews, leadership forums, and external stakeholder engagements

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Flight TestingUAVAutonomous SystemsTest ManagementTest StrategyRisk AssessmentSafety ProtocolsMission ExecutionLab ValidationFlight Operations

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

Is this a remote position or does it require office presence?

This is a hybrid role where you'll split your time between strategic leadership and direct technical contribution, involving work across multiple test sites.

What is the salary or compensation for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What are the key skills and experience needed for this position?

The role requires expertise in flight test strategy and execution for UAVs and autonomous platforms, knowledge of safety and airworthiness processes including FAA and DoD regulations, and skills in data-driven engineering like telemetry pipelines and post-flight analysis.

What is the team size and structure under this manager?

You will lead, mentor, and manage a team of 4–6 mission-driven Flight Test Engineers across multiple test sites and programs.

What makes a strong candidate for the Flight Test Engineering Manager role?

A strong candidate has hands-on experience leading flight test operations for autonomous aircraft, can serve as technical authority and Test Director, and excels at mentoring teams while fostering continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Shield AI

Develops AI and autonomous systems for defense

About Shield AI

Shield AI specializes in creating artificial intelligence and autonomous systems specifically for the defense industry. The company develops AI-powered systems, including autonomous drones, that assist military operations, especially in environments where GPS and communication may not be available. This technology allows for safer and more efficient defense operations. Shield AI differentiates itself from competitors by focusing on advanced AI capabilities and securing significant contracts with government and military clients, such as the multi-billion dollar EWAAC contract. The company's goal is to enhance operational capabilities and safety in military contexts, ultimately aiming to protect lives through its innovative solutions.

San Diego, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2015Year Founded

$772.8MTotal Funding

DEBTCompany Stage

AI & Machine Learning, DefenseIndustries

501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Medical Insurance Coverage

Long Term Disability Insurance

Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA

Employee Assistance Program

Subsidized Gym Membership

Pet Insurance

Competitive Compensation

Retirement Services

Life Insurance

Parental Leave

Bereavement Support

Flexible Work Hours

PTO

Paid Holidays

Commuter Benefits

Relaxed Dress Code

Yearly Swag Items

Unlimited Snacks

Bottomless Beverages

Annual Celebrations

Work From Home Benefits

Standing Desks and Widescreen Monitors

Risks

Increased competition from companies like Waymo could divert investment from Shield AI.

Geopolitical tensions may challenge the JSW Defence partnership for V-BAT production in India.

Dependency on Palantir's infrastructure may limit Shield AI's operational flexibility.

Differentiation

Shield AI's Hivemind is the first autonomous AI pilot deployed in combat since 2018.

Strategic partnerships with Palantir and JSW Defence enhance technological capabilities and market reach.

Shield AI's V-BAT drone is selected for a $198 million U.S. Coast Guard contract.

Upsides

Increased demand for autonomous systems in defense boosts Shield AI's market potential.

Successful multi-aircraft autonomous flight tests showcase advanced AI piloting capabilities.

Significant investment in robotics indicates a robust market for Shield AI's offerings.

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