Director, Test Engineering - Acp Programs (r5044)

Shield AI · Defense · Washington, DC · Integration & Test

Director of Test Engineering for AI Pilot capabilities on Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP). Responsible for end-to-end technical leadership of integration, verification, and operational test, including multi-vehicle coordination. Owns strategy, planning, and execution of complex test campaigns, driving capability maturation through a fly-fix-fly methodology while ensuring safety and mission assurance. Serves as the single technical authority for test execution, managing risk and readiness, and coordinating with partners, customers, and internal teams to deliver autonomy capabilities at scale.

What you'd actually do

serve as the end-to-end technical leader responsible for the integration, verification, and operational test of Hivemind AI Pilot capabilities on portfolio of group 5 UAS/Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP).
own the strategy, planning and execution of complex, multi-phase test campaigns supporting the transition of autonomy capabilities from simulation and lab environments to full-scale flight test and operationally relevant mission scenarios, including multi-vehicle coordination.
drive rapid capability maturation while maintaining rigorous safety, configuration control, and mission assurance standards.
serve as the single technical authority for test execution across the portfolio of ACP efforts, responsible for managing risk, test readiness and driving test execution
facilitate coordination across OEM partners, government customers and internal functional teams rs to deliver high-impact autonomy capabilities at scale.

Skills

Required

technical leadership
test strategy and planning
test execution
autonomy systems
flight testing
risk management
coordination and stakeholder management

Nice to have

experience with group 5 UAS
experience with AI Pilot capabilities
experience with simulation and lab environments
experience with fly-fix-fly methodology
experience with safety, configuration control, and mission assurance standards

What the JD emphasized

end-to-end technical leader
integration, verification, and operational test
multi-vehicle coordination
full-scale flight test
technical authority for test execution
managing risk
test readiness
driving test execution

Other signals

integration
verification
operational test
multi-phase test campaigns
autonomy capabilities
simulation and lab environments
full-scale flight test
operationally relevant mission scenarios
multi-vehicle coordination
fly–fix–fly methodology
capability maturation
rigorous safety
configuration control
mission assurance standards
technical authority for test execution
managing risk
test readiness
driving test execution
coordination across OEM partners
government customers
internal functional teams
high-impact autonomy capabilities at scale

Read full job description

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:

As a Hivemind Solutions Flight Test Director (ACP Programs), you will serve as the end-to-end technical leader responsible for the integration, verification, and operational test of Hivemind AI Pilot capabilities on portfolio of group 5 UAS/Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP).

You will own the strategy, planning and execution of complex, multi-phase test campaigns supporting the transition of autonomy capabilities from simulation and lab environments to full-scale flight test and operationally relevant mission scenarios, including multi-vehicle coordination. Using a disciplined fly–fix–fly methodology, you will drive rapid capability maturation while maintaining rigorous safety, configuration control, and mission assurance standards.

This role will serve as the single technical authority for test execution across the portfolio of ACP efforts, responsible for managing risk, test readiness and driving test execution Here, you will serve as primary focal to facilitate coordination across OEM partners, government customers and internal functional teams rs to deliver high-impact autonomy capabilities at scale.

What you'll do:

Required qualifications:

Preferred qualifications:

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Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.