Staff Flight Test Engineer (R2804)

Job Description:

Are you a passionate, innovative, and experienced in aircraft ground and flight system-level testing looking to help develop state-of-the-art AI and robotics products? Are you eager to make a positive difference in the world? Do you want to work alongside mission driven and values focused teammates? Shield AI is just the place for you!

As a Staff Flight Test Engineer, you will lead the integration and verification efforts for our vertical take-off unmanned aerial vehicle, demonstrating flightworthiness and mission capability. You will work cross-functionally in a dynamic and fast paced environment to help to plan and conduct UAV ground and flight testing in support of product development and prototyping.

Establish and lead program/configuration level test strategies throughout development lifecycle to include:

-Development of program test milestones and associated artifact delivery

-Planning and coordination of ground and flight test plans

-Definition and management of test infrastructure to include configuration of aircraft and ground control segment hardware, software, subsystems and test asset utilization

-Establish best engineering practices, common operating procedures

-Participate in or lead post-test debriefing in test conductor capacity

-Lead root cause analysis investigations, perform out-of-cycle tests to support debug or special developer validation requests without pre-defined documentation

Support system-level qualification testing to include:

-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, requirements verification efforts 

What you'll do:

• 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

Required qualifications:

• 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 principals, including developing test plans, test procedures, and test reporting.
• Experience with cross-functional support with Systems Engineering and design engineering functions.
• You are organized and methodical.
• You are a strong communicator, both written and verbally.
•  You have a demonstrated record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others.

Preferred qualifications:

• Proficiency in MATLAB
• Experience building or prototyping small aircraft or RC components 
• Previous UAV operations and/or maintenance
• Previous environmental test experience, familiarity with MIL-810 

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