Junior Systems Test Engineer (USA)

DroneShield Group Pty Ltd; Warrenton (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense technology firm in Warrenton, Virginia, is seeking a Junior Systems Test Engineer to coordinate test events, report metrics, and ensure quality assurance for complex C-UAS systems. The ideal candidate will hold a BS degree in a technical field and have experience with test engineering processes, documentation, and safety. Responsibilities include flying drones for testing and reporting bugs in JIRA. This is an on-site position with up to 25% travel required.

Qualifications

• Experience with scientific or engineering documentation and reporting.
• Experience with test engineering processes and procedures.
• Practical abilities in safety and equipment maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Support informal and formal test events.
• Identify and describe bugs in JIRA.
• Create and review test plans and manuals.
• Perform operational checks on equipment.
• Fly drones for testing as a certified pilot.

Skills

Atlassian tool suite

Test engineering processes

Networking experience

Linux CLI familiarity

Interest in counter-UAS technologies

Education

BS degree in technical field

Job description

Work with cutting edge AI technology, making the world a safer and more secure place. DroneShield (ASX:DRO) offers an opportunity to solve some of world’s most challenging technical problems in the rapidly growing counter-drone sector.

Our customers operate in some of the most challenging and high-stakes environments in the world, including military organizations, government agencies, airports, critical infrastructure operators, and law enforcement. Protecting airspace in these settings requires technology that performs under pressure and teams that understand what’s at stake. At DroneShield, employees work at the leading edge of counter-drone innovation, helping to address real-world security challenges as drone threats continue to evolve globally.

DroneShield’s American operations are headquartered in Warrenton, Virginia, home to a growing team of approximately 30 highly skilled professionals. This office plays a critical role in the company’s global success, leading U.S.-focused R&D, sales, and customer support, and working closely with American defense and security stakeholders to deliver mission‑critical counter‑drone solutions tailored to local operational needs.

As one of Australia’s largest publicly listed defense companies and a member of the ASX200, DroneShield is experiencing sustained hypergrowth. Global revenue increased from approximately US$38 million in 2024 to over US$125 million in 2025, representing growth of more than 400% year over year, alongside record profitability and cash flow. The global counter‑UAS market is estimated at approximately US$100 billion and remains at an early stage, positioning DroneShield as a global market leader and the only publicly listed pure‑play counter‑drone company worldwide.

DroneShield has grown from just 11 employees in 2017 to more than 450 employees globally today, with continued expansion planned across the United States, Europe, and APAC. The company invests over US$33 million annually in R&D, maintains a global sales pipeline exceeding US$1.65 billion, and continues to scale manufacturing and deployment capacity to meet accelerating demand.

The Warrenton, Virginia office is central to DroneShield’s long‑term U.S. strategy - bringing innovation closer to the customer, strengthening domestic capability, and supporting national security, public safety, and critical infrastructure protection outcomes across the United States.

About the role

The company is seeking a team oriented, communicative, and adept Junior Systems Test Engineer ready for the challenges, responsibilities, and rewards that come with working in a high‑energy, fast paced environment for a growth‑oriented company. The junior test engineer will be a key member of the U.S. technical team which directly supports both our global client base and internal structure. The position is primarily responsible for verification and validation of complex C‑UAS system implementation and supporting test events. The junior test engineer will travel domestically (US) and potentially abroad at times in support of complex system testing, training, or demonstrations. This position will report to the Director of Engineering.

Responsibilities, Duties and Expectations

• Test Event Coordination and Assistance: Support informal and formal test events, as well as other customer-driven test activities. Assist in larger scale testing for range tests, performance testing, and disruption testing. This includes field work, travel, and equipment set up and tear‑down.
• Metrics and Bug Reporting: Identify and describe bugs to be replicated and tracked by developers in JIRA. Create performance reports of testing outcomes and actions to be taken as a result.
• Documentation Creation, Editing, and Review: Create, review and edit test plans, user manuals, and training guides for customers. Validate in comparison to new updates and discovered bugs. Creation of quick‑start instruction manuals for either internal onboarding or customer training of products.
• Quality Assurance Testing: Perform operational checks on incoming and outgoing equipment to ensure customer or test readiness.
• Drone Management: Drone acquisition, identification, firmware updates, maintenance, and upkeep with industry changes to drone protocols.
• Drone Pilot: Fly drones for testing as a Part 107 certified pilot or have the ability to obtain this certification.
• This role requires travel up to 25% and ability to lift at least 50 lbs.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

• BS degree in technical field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Atlassian tool suite (JIRA, Confluence, etc)
• Experience with scientific or engineering documentation and reporting
• Experience with test engineering processes and procedures
• Experience with technical field work and practical abilities in safety and equipment maintenance
• Experience in electrical and structural systems
• Networking experience
• Familiarity with Linux CLI
• Familiarity with RF concepts
• Interest in counter‑UAS technologies or the UxS (unmanned systems) field

Note for recruitment agencies: We do not accept unsolicited candidates from external recruiters unless specifically instructed.