System Test Engineer I, Flight Test

About the role

Shield AI, a defense-tech company developing autonomy software and unmanned aircraft, is hiring a System Test Engineer I in San Diego. The role supports the integration, verification and validation of Hivemind Mission Autonomy across unmanned aircraft systems and mission applications, working with test, systems, software, autonomy, hardware and program teams. It is a hands-on, early-career position covering simulation, laboratory, hardware-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop and flight-test environments.

Key responsibilities

• Support test planning and execution for integrating Hivemind Mission Autonomy onto unmanned platforms and mission configurations.
• Help define test objectives, acceptance criteria, verification methods and test schedules, and maintain test procedures, cases, checklists and configurations.
• Set up and troubleshoot software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, simulation and automated test environments.
• Install, configure and verify test hardware, software, networks, ground-control equipment, sensors, radios and computing systems.
• Collect and organize test data, telemetry, logs, video and configuration information, and help analyze results and document defects.
• Contribute to test reports, dashboards and readiness materials, and maintain test automation, simulation tools and documentation.
• Take part in test-readiness reviews, issue triage and post-test debriefs, and travel periodically to test sites, customer locations and integration events.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field (Aerospace, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, Robotics or related); equivalent practical experience may be considered.
• Foundational experience in engineering test, integration, troubleshooting or verification through coursework, internships, research, military service, lab work or projects.
• Familiarity with systems-engineering and test concepts such as requirements, verification and validation, configuration management and defect tracking.
• Interest in autonomous systems, robotics, UAS, flight-test operations, simulation or embedded systems.
• Ability to travel periodically and to work methodically in a fast-paced engineering environment.

Required skills

• Linux, Windows, command-line tools, networking basics and/or scripting or programming languages such as Python, Bash or C++.
• Preferred: exposure to SIL/HIL, simulation, test automation, Git, continuous integration, and flight-test or DoD DT&E/OT&E processes.