Shield AI · 3 days ago
Test Director, XBAT (R4406)
Wichita Metro Area
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$211K/yr - $317K/yr
7+ years expShield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company focused on protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. They are seeking an experienced Test Director to lead all flight test execution and personnel at the test site, ensuring safe and efficient operations of complex developmental test campaigns.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)Autonomous VehiclesDronesMachine LearningNational Security
Responsibilities
Serve as the senior on-site leader for all flight test personnel, including flight test engineers, operators, technicians, instrumentation, and support staff
Provide direct leadership, tasking, and prioritization for the test team during daily operations and test campaigns
Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations for test personnel to ensure disciplined execution and crew accountability
Foster a strong safety culture, professional standards, and effective crew coordination across all test activities
Serve as Pilot in Command (PIC) for next-generation unmanned flight operations, ensuring strict adherence to safety, regulatory, and procedural standards
Lead end-to-end flight test campaigns from planning and readiness reviews through execution, post-flight analysis, and reporting
Act as Test Conductor during all mission events, directing test execution, managing crew communications, and making time-critical operational decisions
Design, document, and refine control-room infrastructure, console layouts, and flight operations procedures to improve situational awareness and execution efficiency
Oversee control-room operations including comms discipline, telemetry coordination, safety monitoring, and real-time decision-making
Develop, review, and approve test plans, test cards, hazard analyses, and data-collection strategies in coordination with engineering and test safety teams
Conduct real-time telemetry monitoring, anomaly detection, and flight data validation during mission execution
Lead structured post-flight debriefs and deliver concise, actionable findings to engineering, autonomy, propulsion, and systems teams
Support continuous improvement of test processes, instrumentation, telemetry systems, and data architecture to increase test velocity and quality
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering, or equivalent technical experience
7+ years of experience in flight test or advanced system testing for unmanned or manned aircraft
Demonstrated experience leading complex flight test missions with real-time operational authority
Prior experience serving as Test Conductor, PIC, or equivalent flight test leadership role
Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in high-tempo, safety-critical environments
Strong background in control-room design, test conduct, comms discipline, and real-time telemetry integration
Hands-on experience with flight test instrumentation, telemetry systems, and data acquisition architectures
Experience in at least one major test discipline (aerodynamics/performance, propulsion, loads and dynamics, or electrical systems)
Familiarity with structured flight test risk management, pre-flight briefs, and formal post-flight debriefs
Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, or similar tools for post-flight data analysis
Working knowledge of applicable military standards (e.g., MIL-STD-882E, MIL-STD-516C) and U.S. UAS airspace regulations
Excellent written and verbal communication skills across engineering, operations, and leadership audiences
Pilot certification (Private, Commercial, or higher) or prior military flight qualification
Preferred
Experience with large UAS or high-performance experimental aircraft development programs
Background in DoD developmental or operational flight test (DT/OT, E-/T-designated)
Experience serving as Airworthiness Authority, Test Safety Officer, or equivalent role
Familiarity with DO-178C, MIL-STD-810, or formal airworthiness qualification processes
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or ability to obtain
Prior experience managing test teams or serving as the senior on-site test authority
Benefits
Bonus
Benefits
Equity
Temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Company
Shield AI
Shield AI is a deep-tech company that focuses on developing AI-powered systems to enhance the safety of service members and civilians.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Shield AI has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (3)
2024 (3)
2021 (1)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$1.31BKey Investors
Hercules CapitalUS Innovative Technology FundSnowpoint Ventures
2025-03-06Series F· $240M
2023-12-29Debt Financing· $200M
2023-10-31Series F· $300M
Leadership Team
Gary Steele
Chief Executive Officer
Brandon Tseng
Co-Founder
Recent News
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2026-01-19
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2026-01-19
Washington Technology
2026-01-11
Company data provided by crunchbase