Staff Flight Test Engineer (R4009) at Shield AI

Dallas, Texas, United States

Shield AI Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Aerospace, Defense, RoboticsIndustries

Requirements

  • B.S. degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline, such as Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering. Technology-related degree plan also acceptable, e.g., Electrical Engineering, Aeronautics or Information Technology. Degrees with Manufacturing Testing competency will be considered
  • 5+ years of experience in test engineering practices and principles, including developing test plans, test procedures, and test reporting
  • Experience with cross-functional support with Systems Engineering and design engineering

Responsibilities

  • Lead the integration and verification efforts for vertical take-off unmanned aerial vehicle, demonstrating flightworthiness and mission capability
  • Establish and lead program/configuration level test strategies throughout development lifecycle, including development of program test milestones and associated artifact delivery
  • Plan and coordinate ground and flight test plans
  • Define and manage test infrastructure, including configuration of aircraft and ground control segment hardware, software, subsystems, and test asset utilization
  • Establish best engineering practices and common operating procedures
  • Participate in or lead post-test debriefing in test conductor capacity
  • Lead root cause analysis investigations and perform out-of-cycle tests to support debug or special developer validation requests without pre-defined documentation
  • Support system-level qualification testing, including functional acceptance test procedure development and execution
  • Develop, maintain, and execute system-level engineering test procedures and troubleshooting on hardware and software-in-the-loop validation platforms
  • Configure/operate industry standard test and measurement equipment for debug and data collection
  • Provide supporting artifacts required for safety and flight readiness reviews and requirements verification efforts
  • Lead the planning, execution, and analysis of ground and flight tests for V-Bat unmanned system
  • Conduct flight tests, rigorously assessing system capabilities and performance
  • Engage hands-on during flight test operations, ensuring precise execution and data collection
  • Drive hardware and software modifications based on thorough analysis and feedback obtained from testing outcomes
  • Lead flight readiness reviews, pre-flight briefs, debriefs, etc. in a test conductor capacity
  • Document test procedures, results, and lessons learned to contribute to the continuous improvement of flight test processes
  • Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies to ensure the safety of flight test operations
  • Other duties as assigned

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

UAVFlight TestingGround TestingTest PlanningSystems IntegrationVerification TestingRoot Cause AnalysisTest InfrastructureAircraft ConfigurationSystems EngineeringHardware TestingSoftware Testing

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the employment type for this Staff Flight Test Engineer position?

This is a full-time employee position.

Is this Staff Flight Test Engineer role remote or office-based?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What key responsibilities are involved in this Staff Flight Test Engineer role?

You will lead integration and verification for vertical take-off UAVs, plan and conduct ground and flight testing, develop test strategies and procedures, manage test infrastructure, and support qualification testing including root cause analysis.

What is the company culture like at Shield AI?

Shield AI offers a dynamic and fast-paced environment with mission-driven and values-focused teammates, emphasizing innovation and making a positive difference in the world.

What makes a strong candidate for the Staff Flight Test Engineer position?

Ideal candidates are passionate, innovative, and experienced in aircraft ground and flight system-level testing, eager to lead test strategies for UAVs in a fast-paced setting.

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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