Staff Engineer, Test & Evaluation Engineer

San Diego, California, United StatesOnsiteFull TimeStaff$141,000–$212,000 /yrPosted 2 months agoHidden Gem · VC-Backed

Is this role right for you?

Upload your resume and get a skill-by-skill breakdown — see exactly where you match, where you're close, and what to highlight. Not a mystery percentage.

Get a tailored resume highlighting what this role needs.

Role summary

Shield AI, a deep-tech company focused on intelligent systems for protection, is seeking a Staff Engineer for Test & Evaluation. This role is responsible for defining, planning, and executing integration testing for the XBAT aircraft, covering developmental, functional, and qualification testing. The engineer will lead a multi-disciplinary team, manage testing facilities, ensure industry standard compliance, and oversee the transition from design to operational readiness. Key responsibilities include test plan definition, execution, and managing the full lifecycle of test campaigns.

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. Job Description: Staff Engineer, Test & Evaluation Engineer role is responsible for defining, planning, and executing all integration testing phases for XBAT. This includes developmental, functional, and qualification testing for flight vehicles, subsystems, and ground support equipment.

What you'll do:

Responsible for bringing up vehicle through functional testing and delivering the fully operational aircraft to the customer.

Define comprehensive functional, ground, and flight test plan.

Responsible for setting up ground support equipment and executing tests.

Scope and sequence all testing efforts.

The successful candidate will lead a multi-disciplinary test team, manage complex testing facilities, ensure compliance with industry standards, and drive the transition of new products from design to flight/operational readiness.

Required qualifications:

Proven experience with clean sheet design to first flight

Knowledge of test methodologies (e.g., DO-160, MIL-STD-810), instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and telemetry architecture.

Proven experience in successfully managing a full lifecycle test campaign, from component-level testing through to system-level Qualification or Type Certification

Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present complex technical findings to executive leadership and external regulatory boards.

Preferred qualifications:

Flight Test Experience: Prior experience as a Flight Test Engineer or Test Director for experimental or certificated aircraft/spacecraft is a significant asset.

Software Proficiency: Experience with test automation frameworks and data analysis tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, Minitab).

Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance (if applicable to defense programs).

Ready to apply?

You'll be redirected to Shield AI's application page.