a16z Staff Flight Test Engineer (R4380)
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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, visit . Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Job Description:
Shield AI is seeking a highly experienced Flight Test Engineer to 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 ideal 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
- Experience with autonomy, navigation, mission planning, and Command-and-Control (C2) systems
- Hands-on experience with aircraft maintenance, avionics integration, payload integration, and ground support equipment
- Experience with telemetry systems, flight and data logs, sensor data, datalinks, and RF systems
- Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or crewed aviation experience
- Proven Mission Control Room experience using Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS) or similar development FTI display system
- Experience leading or supporting developmental flight test campaigns from design through planning and execution to include reporting
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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.
Skills
As published by lever · 19 questions · 9 written answers
Basics
Resume/CV, Full name, Email, Phone, Current location, Current company, LinkedIn URL, Twitter URL, GitHub URL, Portfolio URL, Other website
Short answers (1)
- Please state your full legal name:
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- Are you authorized to work in the United States?
- Will you require sponsorship for employment now or in the future?
- This position may require access to information and technology that is subject to export controls, such as EAR. Are you any of the following?
- Shield AI provides technology, services, and support to the United States military and allied forces with their various missions. If selected for employment with Shield AI, your contributions will directly relate to and/or support these missions. Are there any reasons why you would not be able to fully contribute in support of the U.S. military and allied forces?
- How did you hear about us?
- Are you a transitioning service member?
- If yes, what partnership program are you working with? optional
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Written answers (9)
- If yes, what type of sponsorship? optional
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