Senior Staff Engineer, Test Director (R5445)

Job Description:

As aStaff Flight Test Engineer / Test Director, you will serve as theend-to-end Test Director for the integration, verification, and flight test ofHivemind Mission Autonomy onsmall Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). You will own thetechnical direction, execution, and readiness of test campaigns, applying afly–fix–fly methodology to rapidly mature autonomy capabilities from simulation and lab environments through flight. 

In this role, you are thesingle technical authority for test execution—responsible for determining test readiness, directing test conduct, managing risk, and ensuring data-driven decisions throughout development and flight test operations. You will lead cross-functional teams across engineering, safety, and program management, aligning stakeholders around clear objectives, disciplined execution, and continuous learning. 

What you'll do:

• Act as Test Director for system-level integration and flight test campaigns of Hivemind Mission Autonomy on small 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 
• Support travel to test sites, customer events, and integration activities as required 
• Perform other duties as assigned 

Required qualifications:

• B.S. degree in a STEM discipline (Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field) 
• 7+ years of experience insystem integration and test, including SIL, HIL, simulation, and flight test environments 
• Demonstrated experienceleading 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 qualifications:

• Working knowledge ofDoD DT&E and OT&E processes and documentation expectations 
• Direct experience withsmall UAS, autonomy, or robotic flight test operations 
• Prior role asTest Director, Test Conductor, or Lead Flight Test Engineer 
• Experience operating withinDoD software and hardware laboratories or government flight test ranges 
• Familiarity with safety-of-flight processes, hazard analysis, and configuration control in flight test environments