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Temporary Payload Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Shield AI

Flight Test Engineer (R5006)

Mundelein, IL · On-site

$115K - $215K/yr

Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground ... Create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements * Travel to test sites ...

Shield AI

Flight Test Engineer (R5006)

Wichita, KS

$115K - $215K/yr

Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground ... Create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements * Travel to test sites ...

Shield AI

Flight Test Engineer (R5006)

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$115K - $215K/yr

Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground ... Create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements * Travel to test sites ...

New

Shield AI

Flight Test Engineer (R5006)

San Diego, CA · On-site

$115K - $215K/yr

Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground ... Create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements * Travel to test sites ...

Shield AI

Flight Test Engineer (R5006)

Dallas, TX

$115K - $215K/yr

Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground ... Create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements * Travel to test sites ...

Shield AI

Flight Test Engineer (R5006)

Dallas, TX · On-site

$115K - $215K/yr

Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground ... Create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements * Travel to test sites ...

Shield AI

Flight Test Engineer (R5006)

Boston, MA · On-site

$115K - $215K/yr

Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground ... Create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements * Travel to test sites ...

Shield AI

Flight Test Engineer (R5006)

Washington, DC

$115K - $215K/yr

Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground ... Create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements * Travel to test sites ...

Shield AI

Flight Test Engineer (R5006)

San Diego, CA

$115K - $215K/yr

Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground ... Create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements * Travel to test sites ...

Shield AI

Flight Test Engineer (R5006)

Washington, DC · On-site

$115K - $215K/yr

Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground ... Create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements * Travel to test sites ...

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As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for temporary payload operator in the United States is $22.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $24.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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Senior Staff Systems Engineer (R5622)

Shield AI

Dallas, TX

$170K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Shield 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 www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Job Description:
As a Senior Staff Systems Engineer on Shield AI’s next gen UAS program, you will play a pivotal role in designing, developing, and integrating cutting-edge autonomous aircraft systems for national defense. You will lead the technical execution of system architecture, ensuring seamless integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensor payloads, and mission-critical systems.
 
This position requires a deep understanding of aerospace systems engineering, autonomy, and complex system integration. You will work cross-functionally with teams in hardware, software, autonomy, flight operations, and manufacturing to develop a scalable, mission-ready platform capable of operating in contested environments.
 
Your expertise will be critical in defining system requirements and architectures through model-based systems engineering, conducting trade studies, ensuring compliance with military and aviation standards, and supporting the aircraft through flight testing and operational deployment.
What You'll Do:
  • Perform System Architecture & Design: Develop and refine the system architecture for the next gen UAS, ensuring seamless integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensor payloads, and mission systems.
  • Define and document system-level behavior, including modes, states, transitions, and fault responses
  • Support safety analyses (FHA, FMEA, FTA) by defining behavior under fault conditions
  • Define and Manage System Requirements: Establish top-level requirements, decompose them into subsystems, and maintain traceability across the development lifecycle.
  • Autonomy & AI Integration: Work closely with autonomy and software teams to integrate AI-driven flight control, decision-making, and mission execution capabilities.
  • Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE): Utilize SysML, DOORS, or other MBSE tools to create digital system models, conduct trade studies, and optimize system performance.
  • Risk Management & Trade Studies: Conduct trade studies to evaluate design alternatives, assess technical risks, and ensure the best engineering solutions for mission effectiveness.
  • Stakeholder & Customer Engagement: Work closely with DoD stakeholders, industry partners, and government agencies to align system capabilities with operational requirements.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with hardware, autonomy, software, propulsion, and flight operations teams to drive seamless system integration and rapid development cycles.
Required Qualifications:
  • 10+ years of experience in systems engineering for aerospace, defense, or autonomous aircraft systems.
  • Demonstrated experience defining system behavior logic and operational modes
  • Deep expertise in system architecture, avionics integration, and autonomy-driven flight systems.
  • Proficiency in MBSE, DOORS, SysML, CAMEO, or similar system modeling tools for complex systems design and analysis.
  • Experience with Group 4 or Group 5 UAS, military aircraft, or autonomous airborne platforms.
  • Strong background in flight testing, system integration, and performance validation.
  • Knowledge of DoD acquisition processes, MIL-STDs, FAA airworthiness certification, and airborne system safety standards.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive complex projects to successful completion.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, agile development environment with shifting priorities.
  • Worked on developmental program from clean sheet to first flight
  • Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience developing AI-driven autonomy for unmanned aircraft.
  • Expertise in ISR, EW, and advanced sensor integration for airborne platforms.
  • Familiarity with modular open system architectures (MOSA) and Government Reference Architectures (GRA) for defense applications.
  • Prior experience working with defense primes, DoD stakeholders, or government R&D programs.
  • Active Secret or Top Secret clearance (or ability to obtain one).
#LI-JM2
#LE

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.
 
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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.