Senior Staff Engineer, Test Director (R5446)

Washington, D.C.full time

On Site

senior

H1B: no

Shield The Senior Staff Engineer, Test Director leads integration, verification, and flight test campaigns for Hivemind Mission Autonomy on UAS. This role is the single technical authority for test execution, managing readiness, risk, and data-driven decisions across development and flight test operations.

Responsibilities

Act as Test Director for system-level integration and flight test campaigns of Hivemind Mission Autonomy on UAS and external platforms
Own test readiness decisions, including entry/exit criteria for lab, simulation, ground, and flight test phases
Plan, direct, and execute fly–fix–fly test campaigns, ensuring rapid iteration while maintaining disciplined configuration control and safety
Define and enforce test strategy, including system-level verification and validation, test phasing, and prioritization of objectives
Direct cross-functional test execution, coordinating across various engineering disciplines and test operators.
Determine test infrastructure requirements, including SIL, HIL, simulation environments, flight test assets, and automated test pipelines
Approve and oversee test procedures, test cards, and execution plans, serving as the final authority during test conduct
Define performance metrics and success criteria, ensuring test data is actionable and traceable to requirements and mission outcomes
Lead flight test risk assessments, hazard analyses, and mitigation planning; enforce safety-of-flight discipline during operations
Serve as primary test interface to internal leadership, customers, and external stakeholders, providing clear reporting on test progress, results, and risks
Establish test standards, SOPs, and best practices aligned with industry and DoD DT&E/OT&E expectations
Document test results, anomalies, corrective actions, and lessons learned, driving continuous improvement across autonomy flight test efforts

Qualification

Highly organized and methodicalDemonstrated integrityDirect experience with UASPrior role as Test DirectorTemporary employee offer package

Required

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
Demonstrated integrity, accountability, and commitment to high standards while fostering a collaborative, respectful team environment

Preferred

Working knowledge of DoD DT&E and OT&E processes and documentation expectations
Direct experience with UAS, autonomy, or robotic flight test operations
Prior role as Test Director, Test Conductor, or Lead Flight Test Engineer
Experience operating within DoD software and hardware laboratories or government flight test ranges
Familiarity with safety-of-flight processes, hazard analysis, and configuration control in flight test environments
Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:

Benefits

Equity/RSU

Company

Shield

View company page

Source: ashby

Active within the past hour

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Test Directorintegrationverificationflight testHivemind Mission AutonomyUAS

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Senior Staff Engineer, Test Director (R5446) at Shield · LumiJobs