Systems Test Engineer (R5243)

Shieldai; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Shieldai in Greater London seeks an experienced software engineer to lead simulation-driven testing and automation for the Hivemind project. You'll ensure software quality and stability through the development of automated tests and collaboration with engineering teams.

The ideal candidate has at least 7 years of related experience, strong skills in Python, and a passion for robotics and autonomous systems.

Join our mission-driven team at Shieldai to have a real impact on technology that protects lives.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 5 years and a Master's degree; or 4 years with a PhD.
• Proficiency in Python.
• Experience in robotics, small UAS, or related hands‑on engineering projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop automated regression and system‑level tests for Hivemind software.
• Collaborate with development teams to diagnose software issues.
• Create test plans for autonomy software in simulated environments.

Skills

Python

Robotics experience

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Adaptability

Experience with autonomous systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Master's degree in relevant field

PhD in relevant field

Tools

C++

HIL test environments

VIL test environments

Job description

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture‑backed defense‑tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems.

Candidates for this role will lead simulation‑driven testing, automation, and software quality efforts for Hivemind, building and executing test frameworks that ensure our autonomy software performs reliably across simulated and real‑world mission environments. Shield AI is growing quickly, and we're looking for someone who thrives in fast‑paced environments, embraces learning, and brings a high‑ownership, mission‑driven mindset. This is a chance to have a real impact—advancing autonomy that protects lives—while working with a collaborative, high‑performing team.

Responsibilities

• Develop automated regression, integration, and system‑level tests to ensure Hivemind software quality and stability across releases
• Identify, reproduce, and diagnose software issues—collaborating closely with development teams to drive fixes and improvements
• Create and execute test plans and documentation for autonomy software in simulated environments, ensuring mission and safety requirements are met
• Design, implement, and maintain simulation‑based test frameworks to validate Hivemind autonomy behavior and performance
• Build tools and utilities in Python to automate testing, data processing, and analysis workflows
• Develop test harnesses and data validation tools for Software‑in‑the‑Loop (SIL) / Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop (HIL) / Vehicle‑in‑the‑Loop (VIL) and simulation environments
• Contribute to the definition of testing methodologies, metrics, and performance benchmarks for autonomy software validation
• Support the scaling and reliability of simulation infrastructure used for large‑scale software validation
• Maintain detailed and accurate test documentation, ensuring traceability and knowledge sharing across teams
• Work with developers to integrate test coverage directly into the development pipeline (CI/CD)

Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 5 years and a Master's degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
• Proficiency in Python.
• Experience in robotics, small UAS, or related hands‑on engineering projects.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and debugging skills.
• Passionate about intelligent aircraft systems.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross‑functional software, hardware and mechanical engineering teams.
• Adaptability and a willingness to learn new technologies and methodologies quickly in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience testing autonomous systems, robotics software, or flight autonomy algorithms.
• Familiarity with C++ and software/hardware integration concepts.
• Experience with HIL or VIL test environments.
• Exposure to machine learning or AI‑driven autonomy systems.
• Background in simulation infrastructure design, distributed testing, or test data management.
• Quality Assurance (QA) experience, including process definition, metrics, and validation tracking.
• Experience with aerospace, defense, or mission‑critical software.

Our international teammates receive a comprehensive total rewards package aligned to your country office location. For full details on compensation and benefits, please consult your talent acquisition partner.