Senior Software Test & Automation Engineer (Autonomy)

Shield; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Software Test & Automation Engineer to design and build automated test infrastructure for autonomy software. You will execute system-level verification across simulation, SIL, HIL, and VIL environments, and integrate testing into CI/CD workflows.

You will collaborate with software, systems, flight-test, and integration teams to ensure readiness and measurable software quality. 4–7 years in robotics/aerospace testing is expected.

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science, Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 4–7 years developing software test, verification, automation, or validation solutions for robotics, autonomy, aerospace, or other complex distributed systems.
• Strong proficiency in Python for automation, testing, and data analysis.
• Experience developing automated test frameworks, test harnesses, or validation infrastructure.
• Experience with Linux-based development environments.
• Experience validating software in simulation, SIL, HIL, and/or representative hardware environments.
• Experience debugging complex software and system integration issues.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and continuous validation practices.
• Strong understanding of software verification, regression testing, and quality assurance methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks and tooling for autonomy software.
• Develop verification and validation strategies across simulation, SIL, HIL, and VIL environments.
• Build automated regression, integration, functional, and performance test suites.
• Develop Python-based automation and analysis tools to reduce manual testing.
• Analyze results, identify defects, and support root-cause investigations.
• Create metrics, dashboards, and readiness assessments for software maturity.
• Integrate automated testing into CI/CD workflows for rapid feedback.
• Collaborate with multiple teams to define validation strategies and readiness criteria.
• Improve test infrastructure and coverage across portfolios.

Skills

Python for automation

CI/CD pipelines

Linux environments

Software test frameworks

Data analysis

Education

BS in Computer Science or related field

Tools

ArduPilot/PX4 (preferred)

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, visitwww.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI onLinkedIn,X,Instagram, andYouTube.

Job Description:

Shield AI's Software Test & Automation Team develops the verification, validation, and automation capabilities that enable rapid delivery of Hivemind autonomy across the Expeditionary and Emerging Operations portfolio. Our mission is to provide objective evidence of software quality, reliability, and mission readiness by building scalable automated test frameworks, repeatable validation environments, and data-driven readiness assessments spanning simulation, Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), and Vehicle-in-the-Loop (VIL) environments.

As a Senior Software Test & Automation Engineer, you will design and develop automated test infrastructure, execute system-level verification activities, analyze software performance, and build the tooling that enables continuous validation throughout the development lifecycle. Working closely with autonomy software, systems engineering, digital infrastructure, and flight test teams, you will help ensure autonomy capabilities arevalidated, repeatable, and ready for operational deployment.

What you'll do:

• Design, develop, andmaintainautomated test frameworks, validation tooling, and test infrastructure supporting autonomy software.
• Develop and execute verification and validation strategies across simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, and representative system environments.
• Build automated regression, integration, functional, and performance test suites that improve software quality and deployment confidence.
• Develop Python-based automation, test harnesses, and analysis tools that reduce manual testing effort and improve repeatability.
• Analyze test results,identifysoftware defects and integration issues, and support cross-functional root cause investigations.
• Develop software quality metrics, dashboards, and readiness assessments that provide objective evidence of software maturity.
• Integrate automated testing into CI/CD workflows to enable continuous validation and rapid developer feedback.
• Collaborate with autonomy software, systems engineering, flight test, and integration teams to define validation strategies and readiness criteria.
• Improve test infrastructure, automation coverage, and validation methodologies across the Expeditionary and Emerging Operations portfolio.

Required qualifications:

• BS in Computer Science, Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 4–7 years developing software test, verification, automation, or validation solutions for robotics, autonomy, aerospace, or other complex distributed systems.
• Strong proficiency in Python for automation, testing, and data analysis.
• Experience developing automated test frameworks, test harnesses, or validation infrastructure.
• Experience with Linux-based development environments.
• Experience validating software in simulation, SIL, HIL, and/or representative hardware environments.
• Experience debugging complex software and system integration issues.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and continuous validation practices.
• Strong understanding of software verification, regression testing, and quality assurance methodologies.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with flight control systems such as ArduPilot or PX4.
• Experience with unmanned aerial systems (fixed-wing, quadrotor, or both)
• Background in autonomy, robotics, or aerospace systems
• Familiarity with flight controllers, radios, and communications systems

Eligibility

Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems, and this role supports that mission directly by working with Australian Government classified material. It requires an Australian Government security clearance at [Baseline / NV1 / NV2] level.

You don't need to hold a clearance already, we will sponsor your clearance and support you, because mission first, people always. Australian citizenship is a mandatory requirement for this role. It is a condition of clearance eligibility set by the Australian Government, eligibility details are here: https://www.agsva.gov.au/applicants/eligibility-suitability

#LC

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.

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, colour, 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.