# Senior Staff Engineer, Test Director (R5446) at Shield AI

- Company: Shield AI
- What the company does: Autonomy for the world. Backed by a16z.
- Company website: https://shield.ai
- Type: Startups (AI role)
- Level: Principal and up
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Work setup: On-site
- Pay: $172K to $258K base salary per year (USD)
- Posted: 2026-09-14
- Apply by: 2026-10-29
- Apply: https://jobs.lever.co/shieldai/fed8283f-3309-4e27-81e0-fe38b4e31487
- Page: https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/shield-ai-senior-staff-engineer-test-director-r5446/

## About the role

As a Senior Staff Flight Test Engineer / Test Director, you will serve as the end-to-end Test Director for the integration, verification, and flight test of Hivemind Mission Autonomy on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). You will own the technical direction, execution, and readiness of test campaigns, applying a fly–fix–fly methodology to rapidly mature autonomy capabilities from simulation and lab environments through flight.

## What they're looking for

- B.S. degree in a STEM discipline (Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field)
- 7+ years of experience in system integration and test, including SIL, HIL, simulation, and flight test environments
- Demonstrated experience leading test execution, including authority over test conduct, readiness, and risk decisions
- Strong background working cross-functionally with systems engineering, software, hardware, safety, and program management teams
- Highly organized and methodical, with the ability to manage complex, fast-paced test campaigns
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including briefing technical status to leadership and customers

Tags: Integration & Test