Director, Test Engineering - ACP Programs (R5044)

Washington, DCHivemind Solutions Division – Integration & Test /Full Time Employee /On-siteShield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit . 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:Act as Test Director and technical lead for integration and flight test of Hivemind autonomy on group 5 ACP systems, including multi-aircraft coordination scenarios in LVC and empirical flight test scenarios.Own test strategy and execution across the full development lifecycle, including system-level verification & validation, test phasing, and prioritization across SIL, HIL, simulation, ground, and flight test environmentsPlan and execute large-scale flight test campaigns, including complex mission scenarios involving cooperative autonomy, human-machine teaming, and distributed systemsServe as the final authority during mission autonomy test operations, directing test conduct and approving test plans, procedures, and execution flowCoordinate cross-functional execution across software, hardware, systems engineering, flight operations, safety, and program leadership teamsDefine mission-level performance metrics and success criteria, ensuring traceability from requirements to test outcomes and operational effectivenessOwn test infrastructure strategy, including large-scale simulation environments, SIL/HIL systems, aircraft integration labs, and flight test assetsLead on-aircraft integration and flight test operations with platform OEM partners, including system configuration, software deployment, real-time troubleshooting, and post-flight data analysisServe as primary coordinator working with platform OEMs to define and enforce test readiness criteria (entry/exit), define safety-of-flight and mission risk management, airspace coordination and test hazard identification, analysis, and mitigation to ultimately make go/no-go decisions for progression into ground and flight test eventsEstablish and scale test processes, standards, and best practices aligned with DoD DT&E/OT&E expectations and operational test rigorRequired qualifications:Typically requires 15+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 14+ years with a Master’s; or 12+ years with a PhD; or equivalent experienceDemonstrated experience leading flight test or large-scale system integration efforts, including authority over test readiness, execution, and risk decisionsStrong background in full-scale aviation test environments, including aircraft integration, ground test, and flight operationsExperience with system-level verification & validation across multiple test environments (SIL, HIL, simulation, and flight)Proven ability to plan and execute complex, multi-phase flight test campaigns involving multiple stakeholders and dependenciesExperience working cross-functionally across software, hardware, avionics, systems engineering, safety, and program teamsStrong understanding of safety-of-flight principles, risk management, and disciplined test execution in aviation environmentsProficiency in Python or similar tools for test automation, data analysis, or system validationExcellent technical leadership and communication skills, including briefing to senior leadership and external customersAbility to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance; U.S. citizenship requiredPreferred qualifications:Experience supporting Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP), loyal wingman concepts, or multi-vehicle autonomous systemsPrior role as Flight Test Director, Test Conductor, or Lead Flight Test Engineer on full-scale aircraft programsFamiliarity with military aviation test processes, including DT&E and OT&E frameworksExperience operating in or supporting government flight test ranges and operational environmentsBackground in autonomy, AI/ML-enabled systems, or human-machine teaming in aviation contextsExperience with airworthiness processes, flight clearance, and configuration control for aircraft systemsFamiliarity with tools such as Git, Jira/Azure DevOps, and CI/CD pipelinesActive SECRET clearance$210,000 - $310,000 a year#LI-KK1#LFFull-time regular employee offer package:Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + EquityTemporary 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. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.