# Senior Staff Engineer, Aerospace (R5082)

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** Dallas, TX
**Role:** Hardware Engineering
**Salary:** $170k – $250k/yr
**Experience:** 15+ years
**Skills:** Stability & Control, Flying Qualities Analysis, Flight Test Planning, Flight Test Execution, Aerodynamics, 6Dof Aerodynamic Database, Wind Tunnel Testing, Air Data Systems, Control Laws, MATLAB
**Posted:** 2026-05-28

> Senior aerospace engineer leading flying qualities analysis, flight test planning, and aero model validation for autonomous aircraft. Requires 15+ years in stability & control and flight test expertise.

## Job Description

## What you'll do

- **Flying Qualities Analysis**: Work closely with the Guidance and Control (GNC) team to optimize control usage and verify the X-BAT flying qualities are suitable for the intended mission.
- **Lead Flying Qualities Flight Test**: Coordinate with other flight sciences disciplines and Test & Evaluation team to develop an integrated test approach that results in certification of the X-BAT in a safe and efficient manner.
- **Integrate Air Data Systems**: Partner with cross-disciplinary teams to define sensor locations, system architecture and calibration algorithms that meet accuracy and redundancy requirements.
- **Spearhead Aero Model Validation**: Champion the development of tools and flight test aids that will be used to update/validate aerodynamic models using flight test results.
- **Support Wind Tunnel Testing and Aero Model Development**: Work with a team of flight sciences engineers to plan and execute a variety of wind tunnel tests and integrate the results into a 6DOF Aerodynamic database.

## Required qualifications

- B.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent technical field)
- 15+ years of experience in Stability & Control, with specific expertise in flying qualities analysis, flight test planning/execution and requirements compliance
- Extensive experience with all phases of flight test including planning, cross discipline integration, control room procedures, execution and final certification
- Ability to develop customized tools that can be used for flying qualities analysis, plotting and simulation
- A demonstrated record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to a high standard, and being kind to others

## Preferred qualifications

- Expert level understanding of the dependencies between the control laws and the fundamental stability and control characteristics of the aircraft
- First-hand knowledge of the steps required to take a high performance military aircraft from preliminary design through flight test
- A proven ability to work closely with others

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