Software Test and Automation Engineer II

About the role

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company developing autonomy software, aircraft and simulation technologies. Its Software Test & Automation team builds automated test frameworks, validation environments and readiness assessments covering simulation, SIL, HIL and VIL environments. As a Software Test & Automation Engineer (L2), you will work alongside experienced engineers to develop automated tests, improve validation tooling, analyze software performance and support system-level verification for autonomous systems.

Key responsibilities

• Develop Python-based automated tests, test utilities and analysis tools for autonomy software validation.
• Support verification and validation across simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL and representative system environments.
• Build and improve regression, integration, functional and performance tests under the guidance of experienced engineers.
• Analyze test results, identify unexpected system behavior and help debug software and integration issues.
• Develop scripts and tools that reduce manual testing effort and make test execution and analysis more repeatable.
• Support software quality metrics, dashboards, test reports and readiness assessments.
• Help integrate automated tests into CI/CD workflows so developers get rapid feedback.
• Work with autonomy software, systems engineering, flight test and integration teams, and take part in lab and hardware testing of sensors, flight controllers, networking equipment and mission computers.
• Look for ways to improve test coverage, automation, documentation and validation workflows.

Required profile

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering or a related technical discipline; equivalent practical experience may be considered.
• Python programming experience from coursework, projects, research or student teams.
• Familiarity with software development and debugging fundamentals.
• Interest in robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded systems or software testing.
• Strong problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with Linux, Git or Docker.
• Exposure to automated, unit or integration testing.
• Experience with sensors, flight controllers, embedded systems or networking.
• Coursework or projects in robotics, controls, autonomy, computer vision or embedded systems.