Engineer I, Software Test and Automation (R6216)

AI Chopping Block, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI seeks a Software Test & Automation Engineer (L1) to develop automated tests and validation tooling for its autonomous systems. You will work with a team to improve testing across simulation, SIL, HIL, and VIL environments, contributing to scalable test frameworks and data-driven readiness assessments.

You will gain hands-on experience with autonomy software, hardware-in-the-loop systems, and robotic platforms while supporting rapid feedback to developers and system-level verification

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop Python-based automated tests, test utilities, and analysis tools supporting autonomy software validation.
• Support verification and validation activities across simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, and representative system environments.
• Build and improve regression, integration, functional, and performance tests with guidance from experienced engineers.
• Analyze test results, identify unexpected system behavior, and assist with debugging software and integration issues.
• Develop scripts and tools that reduce manual testing effort and improve the repeatability of test execution and analysis.
• Support the development of software quality metrics, dashboards, test reports, and readiness assessments.
• Assist with integrating automated tests into CI/CD workflows to provide rapid feedback to software developers.
• Collaborate with autonomy software, systems engineering, flight test, and integration teams to understand system behavior and validation requirements.
• Participate in laboratory and hardware testing of autonomous systems, sensors, flight controllers, networking equipment, and mission computers.
• Identify opportunities to improve test coverage, automation, documentation, and validation workflows.

Skills

Python programming

Problem solving

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/Engineering or related field

Tools

Linux

Git

Docker

ROS/ROS 2

ArduPilot

PX4

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, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

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 Software Test & Automation Engineer (L1), you will work alongside experienced engineers to develop automated tests, improve validation tooling, analyze software performance, and support system-level verification activities for autonomous systems. You will gain hands-on experience working with autonomy software, simulation environments, hardware-in-the-loop systems, and real-world robotic platforms while contributing directly to the tools and processes used to evaluate software quality and mission readiness.

What you'll do:

• Develop Python-based automated tests, test utilities, and analysis tools supporting autonomy software validation.
• Support verification and validation activities across simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, and representative system environments.
• Build and improve regression, integration, functional, and performance tests with guidance from experienced engineers.
• Analyze test results, identify unexpected system behavior, and assist with debugging software and integration issues.
• Develop scripts and tools that reduce manual testing effort and improve the repeatability of test execution and analysis.
• Support the development of software quality metrics, dashboards, test reports, and readiness assessments.
• Assist with integrating automated tests into CI/CD workflows to provide rapid feedback to software developers.
• Collaborate with autonomy software, systems engineering, flight test, and integration teams to understand system behavior and validation requirements.
• Participate in laboratory and hardware testing of autonomous systems, sensors, flight controllers, networking equipment, and mission computers.
• Identify opportunities to improve test coverage, automation, documentation, and validation workflows.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’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 testing, unit testing, or integration testing.
• Experience with robotics or engineering teams such as FIRST Robotics
• Familiarity with ArduPilot, PX4, ROS/ROS 2.
• Experience with sensors, flight controllers, embedded systems, or networking.
• Coursework or projects in robotics, controls, autonomy, computer vision, or embedded systems