Senior Staff Engineer – Test Director

About the role

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Staff Engineer to serve as the Test Director for the integration, verification, and flight testing of Hivemind Mission Autonomy on small unmanned aircraft systems. You will own the technical direction and execution of test campaigns, applying a fly‑fix‑fly methodology to mature autonomy capabilities from simulation to flight.

Key responsibilities

• Act as Test Director for system‑level integration and flight test campaigns of Hivemind Mission Autonomy on small UAS and external platforms.
• Own test readiness decisions, define entry/exit criteria, and manage test phases from lab to flight.
• Plan, direct, and execute fly‑fix‑fly test campaigns while maintaining configuration control and safety.
• Define and enforce test strategy, verification and validation plans, and prioritize objectives.
• Coordinate cross‑functional test execution across engineering, safety, and program management.
• Determine test infrastructure needs, including SIL, HIL, simulation environments, flight assets, and automated pipelines.
• Approve test procedures, test cards, and execution plans as the final authority during test conduct.
• Lead risk assessments, hazard analyses, and safety‑of‑flight discipline.
• Provide clear reporting to internal leadership, customers, and external stakeholders.
• Establish test standards, SOPs, and best practices aligned with DoD DT&E/OT&E expectations.

Required profile

• B.S. in a STEM discipline such as Aerospace, Software, or Computer Engineering.
• 7+ years of experience in system integration and test, including SIL, HIL, simulation, and flight test environments.
• Proven authority over test execution, readiness, and risk decisions.
• Strong cross‑functional collaboration with systems, software, hardware, safety, and program teams.
• Highly organized, methodical, and able to manage complex, fast‑paced test campaigns.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for briefing leadership and customers.
• Demonstrated integrity, accountability, and commitment to high standards.

Required skills

• SIL (Software‑in‑the‑Loop) testing
• HIL (Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop) testing
• Simulation environments for autonomy
• Flight test operations for small UAS
• DoD DT&E and OT&E processes
• Risk assessment and safety‑of‑flight procedures