Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI's technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visitwww.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI onLinkedIn,X,Instagram, andYouTube.

Job Description:
Shield AI is seeking a highly experiencedFlight Test Engineerto lead ground and flight test planning and execution for X-BAT, the world's first autonomous VTOL jet aircraft. In this role, you will shape the flight test strategy, direct complex developmental test campaigns, and provide technical leadership across the program to ensure safe and rapid development of a next-generation autonomous aircraft.
The adecuado candidate brings deep expertise in developmental flight testing, mission control room operations, and aircraft test envelope expansion. You will work closely with engineering, flight operations, autonomy, systems integration, instrumentation, manufacturing, and safety teams to define test objectives, assess risk, execute test missions, and analyze the data required to evaluate aircraft performance and advance the flight test program.
This is a high-impact role for a technical leader who thrives in fast-paced, experimental environments and who wants to help define the future of autonomous aviation.
What you'll do:

Lead ground and flight test campaigns for X-BAT, including test planning, execution, post-test analysis, and progressive flight envelope expansion.
Assess aircraft and system readiness and define test objectives, test points,



build-up approaches, success criteria, and instrumentation requirements.
Develop and review test plans, procedures, flight test cards, hazard analyses, risk assessments, and safety documentation for developmental ground and flight test operations.
Lead and coordinate pre-flight, flight, and post-flight activities, including aircraft configuration, test briefings, mission control room operations, telemetry monitoring, and go/no-go recommendations.
Provide technical leadership during hover, transition, and forward-flight testing, including integrated evaluations of aircraft systems, flight controls, and autonomy.
Serve as a flight test subject-matter expert during Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), Test Hazard Analyses (THAs), and Operational Risk Management (ORM) assessments.
Partner with engineering, Autonomy, Avionics, and flight operations teams to integrate and evaluate aircraft systems, software, communications and data links, ground control systems, and emergency behaviors.
Collaborate with Instrumentation Engineering to define data acquisition and telemetry requirements and ensure data quality, time synchronization, and fidelity across aircraft and ground systems.
Analyze ground and flight test data to assess aircraft performance, validate requirements, investigate anomalies, and inform corrective actions and subsequent test planning.




Develop and maintain ground and flight operating limitations, support aircraft configuration control and system readiness, and coordinate with maintenance teams to resolve test-related issues.
Document test results, anomalies, lessons learned, and recommendations in clear technical reports, and improve flight test processes, tools, and data workflows.
Support test range coordination, field deployments, remote test sites, and intensive test cycles as required to meet program objectives.
Required qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree)
5-10 years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned/manned aircraft systems, aircraft integration, or aerospace systems engineering
Strong understanding of aircraft systems, flight dynamics, avionics, telemetry, sensors, or control systems
Proven ability to write and execute structured test plans, procedures, and reports
Strong troubleshooting skills in field and/or lab environments
Excellent communication skills and ability to work across engineering and operations teams
Willingness and ability to travel up to 80% for candidates not based in the Wichita Metro Area,including travel to test sites, ranges, and other field locations
Overtime and weekend coverage as required
Active Secret Security Clearance
Preferred qualifications:

10+ years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned aircraft systems, aircraft integration, or aerospace systems engineering
Experience in Group 4-5 UAS and/or fighter type capability or similar weapons systems
Familiarity with FAA, DoW, and test range flight operations
Exper

📌 Staff Flight Test Engineer (España)
🏢 shieldai
📍 España