Staff Engineer, Software Systems Test (R2925)

The Aircraft Software Test & Automation team is an ambitious, driven group of engineers focused on testing complex aircraft software integrated onto vehicles and various hardware systems. The team is a cross-discipline group of test engineers, software developers, embedded engineers, and more; working closely with our Embedded, GNC (Guidance, Navigation & Controls), and System Test teams, the Software Test & Automation team is chartered to provide (1) rigorous, but fast testing and (2) an advanced & robust test infrastructure for all aircraft software. Shield AI is building groundbreaking autonomous aircraft technologies, this team provides the complex testing & innovative capabilities required to get us there.

As a Software Systems Test Engineer on the team, you will be pivotal in driving integration testing of our full aircraft software system, integrating our autonomy, flight controller, and GCS software to qualify an intelligent, robust aircraft system. This role demands an engineer capable of overseeing system-level verification and validation, designing complex test scenarios, and ensuring that subsystem testing meets rigorous standards before proceeding to full system integration. You will marshal our aircraft software through full system verification & validation. Your work will directly impact the reliability and performance of our aircraft, preparing them for operational excellence in the field.

• Generate detailed mission test scenarios that mimic real-world conditions to validate system performance. 
• Lead the development and enhancement of our system testing processes and related infrastructure, promoting efficient & innovative testing processes to achieve operational validation and quick feedback loops. Examples include: 
• Mission simulation scenarios exercising autonomy software with hardware-in-the-loop 
• Continuous testing pipelines that verify subsystems before triggering system tests 
• Suite of automated test cases to perform full system testing with vehicles-in-the-loop 
• Design and implement automated integration tests across all software systems to ensure seamless functionality and high performance. 
• Qualify subsystem integrations to guarantee robustness prior to comprehensive system testing. 
• Conduct and manage system verification and validation events, culminating in verified flight readiness. 
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues that arise during the testing phases to maintain project timelines and quality standards. 
• Write test analyzers in Python to report and benchmark performance and qualification metrics of the system 
• Produce test coverage and release-readiness reports by aggregating test cases, results, and quality requirements. 

• Excellent proficiency in testing complex integrated software systems, preferably for robotics or vehicles. Demonstrated ability to design and execute elaborate test cases. 
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to synthesize complex data into conclusions & actionable plans. Demonstrated ability in coding analyzers to automate evaluation of test data, using python and common industry tools to do so. 
• Demonstrated expertise & experience in test automation, minimally writing software to automate testing, preferably leveraging simulation for automated integration testing.   
• Strong experience with the software product development lifecycle, ideally for autonomy or vehicle systems. 
• Strong mathematical background, capable of understanding software models describing aircraft physics and flight control algorithms 
• Solid technical expertise in software development, especially in C++ and Python, including tools like Docker, CI/CD pipelines, and Artifactory 
• Great understanding of system architecture, requirement derivation, and test planning across the Systems Vee model 
• Experience producing high-quality technical documentation, including test plans, quality-assurance reports, and operational procedures  
• Demonstrated track record of assuming ownership over development processes and features and delivering outstanding outcomes   
• Proven track record of successfully shipping products, showcasing the ability to navigate through development cycles, overcome obstacles, and deliver high-quality solutions to meet project deadlines and exceed expectations in a fast-paced environment   
• B.S., M.S, PhD degree in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline, such as Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.  
• Optimally with 6-7+ years of real word experience.

• Experience with autonomous or robotic systems. 
• Experience with simulation software and hardware emulation. 
• Background in a fast-paced, R&D or startup environment.