# Senior Staff Propulsion Test Engineer (R4380)
**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** Wichita, KS
**Salary:** $150K-$230K
**Experience:** 8+ years
**Skills:** Jet Engines, Vtol Systems, Fadec, Engine Controls, Thrust Measurement, Thermal Analysis, Vibration Analysis, Hazard Analyses, Test Procedures, Irig, Pcm, Telemetry, Propulsion Testing, Hover Testing, Transition Testing
**Posted:** 2026-01-07
> Leads propulsion test planning, execution, and analysis for autonomous VTOL jet aircraft, including engine runs, hover tests, and integration with autonomy systems. Requires 8+ years in jet propulsion testing, bachelor's in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering, and expertise in high-energy test operations.
## Job Description
## Responsibilities
- Support engine, hover, static, and integrated propulsion test campaigns for X-BAT including planning, execution, and post-test analysis.
- Advise on propulsion system readiness and define test objectives, test point development, build up approach, success criteria, and instrumentation requirements.
- Develop and review test procedures, hazard analyses, run cards, and safety documentation for high-energy test operations.
- Provide technical oversight during engine runs, hover tests, transition testing, and propulsion-autonomy integration events.
- Serve as a propulsion subject-matter expert during Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), Test Hazard Analyses (THAs), and Operational Risk Management (ORM) assessments.
- Support root-cause investigations related to propulsion performance, engine controls, thermal behavior, vibration, and integration issues.
- Partner with Autonomy and Avionics teams to evaluate propulsion-related interactions such as thrust control logic, response lags, fail-safes, and emergency behaviors.
- Collaborate with Instrumentation Engineering to ensure data quality, test post process analysis, reporting, timing, and fidelity across propulsion channels.
- Support field deployments, remote test sites, and intensive test cycles as required to meet program schedules.

## Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
- **8+ years** of experience in propulsion testing for jet engines, VTOL systems, unmanned aircraft, or developmental flight test programs.
- Demonstrated expertise executing and analyzing engine tests, hover/transition events, and integrated propulsion-airframe testing.
- Strong understanding of engine controls, **FADEC** systems, thrust measurement, thermal analysis, and vibration/loads behavior.
- Experience writing and reviewing high-energy test procedures, readiness documentation, and hazard analyses.
- Proven ability to operate safely and decisively in fast-paced test environments.
- Excellent communication skills and demonstrated performance in multidisciplinary engineering organizations.
- Ability to travel and support extended field test deployments.

## Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree or higher in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
- Experience with tail-sitter, VTOL, or thrust-vectoring propulsion systems.
- Background in autonomy-powered aircraft, propulsion-system modeling, or propulsion-flight-control integration.
- Familiarity with **IRIG**, **PCM**, instrumentation requirements, and high-rate telemetry data.
- Experience supporting complex investigations or leading propulsion technical review boards.
- Prior involvement in developmental or experimental flight test programs.
- Experience with compressed-air starts, engine-health monitoring systems, or high-temperature structural analysis.
**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/senior-staff-propulsion-test-engineer-r4380-at-shield-ai-00b4fccc-8e08-4a34-a460-5bcec5ed7358
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