Senior Software Test and Automation Engineer (R3255)

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent, autonomous systems. Its products include Hivemind Enterprise—EdgeOS, Pilot, Commander, and Forge—as well as V-BAT and Sentient Vision Systems (wide-area motion imaging software). With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI’s technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide.  For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X and Instagram.    

Are you a passionate and innovative engineer looking to help develop state-of-the-art AI aircraft?  Are you eager to make a positive difference in the world?  Do you want to work alongside mission driven and values focused teammates? Shield AI is just the place for you!    

The Hivemind Solutions Test department is a group on a mission to build comprehensive and robust testing infrastructure that supports the development and deployment of the world’s best AI pilot and most reliable aircraft. Hivemind Test is dedicated to ensuring the highest level of quality, reliability, and performance in our Hivemind software ecosystem. This ecosystem includes software for AI behaviors, embedded systems, system integration, and more. Our group is charged with validating and verifying our Hivemind software meets reliability standards and is operationally ready to meet mission objectives on aircraft, such as real world jets, Shield AI’s V-BAT and beyond.   

As a Hivemind Software Test and Automation Engineer, you will be at the forefront of integration and testing for deploying our Hivemind Software and AI Pilot on third-party platforms. Your role will involve developing automated test frameworks, executing tests, analyzing flight test results, and creating tools to accelerate the development cycle. You will collaborate closely with software, hardware, and systems flight engineers to validate complex systems, ensuring they meet our high quality and reliability standards. Our test campaigns are hands-on and fast-paced, involving rapid testing, reviews, debugging, and system verification.  

Your efforts will be rewarded with successful flight test events, leadership growth opportunities in a fast-scaling tech company, and the knowledge that your contributions are advancing an AI autopilot, enabling intelligent aircraft, achieving historic aviation firsts, and protecting service members and civilians worldwide. 

• Write Python (and/or C++) software to test complex Hivemind Autonomy software integrated with aircraft systems. 
• Design and develop automated test frameworks to streamline the validation of Hivemind Autonomy solutions. 
• Develop data analysis tools to visualize and report test results from large datasets. 
• Create test team reporting dashboards to provide high-level visibility into results, performance metrics, and quality trends. 
• Implement CI/CD automation for test execution. 
• Integrate testing solutions with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) systems. 
• Execute and integrate flight test simulations to validate Hivemind Autonomy and aircraft subsystems. 
• Support the Quality Assurance and Infrastructure test teams by developing automation and data analysis tools. 
• Improve software development processes through innovative solutions such as AI/ML, evolutionary algorithms, and automation to minimize defects and accelerate development. 
• Collaborate cross-functionally with software, hardware, and systems flight teams to prepare for simulated and real-world flight test campaigns. 
• Document test plans, test results, defects, workflows, and software tools to support development, certification, and test campaigns. 

• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; or 4 years and a Master’s degree; or 2 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience. 
• The ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET Clearance
• Strong experience with Python. 
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional engineering teams. 
• Experience in robotics, aerospace, defense and/or related hands-on engineering projects. 
• Test engineering experience in test generation, planning, execution, or related systems engineering.
• Strong problem-solving debugging and analytical skills.  
• Passion for intelligent aircraft systems.  
• Adaptability, a bias towards action and a willingness to learn new technologies quickly in a fast-paced environment.   

• Active SECRET clearance
• Proficiency with Python and C++. 
• Experience analyzing large datasets (e.g. using Pandas, NumPy, or similar tools). 
• Software Quality Assurance and test experience. 
• Familiarity with CI/CD tools (e.g. Azure DevOps). 
• Experience leveraging AI / Machine Learning techniques in testing and software validation.  
• Experience with software management tools (e.g.Git, AzureDevOps/Jira, Artifactory). 
• Aerospace or defense industries experience, working with complex systems while adhering to stringent standards and regulations. 

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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.