Manager, Software Test & Automation (R5461)

Shield; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Software Test & Automation Manager to lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for verification, validation, and automation across a portfolio including XBAT, VBAT, Weapons, Space, and Maritime programs.

You will partner with software, systems, and flight test teams to ensure autonomy capabilities are thoroughly validated and ready for deployment. A focus on scalable automation and modern verification practices is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience leading Software Test & Automation teams in defense/robotics or similar domains.
• Proven ability to define verification strategies across simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, and OT environments.
• Proven track record building automated validation and regression testing.
• Experience integrating automated validation into CI/CD pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a Software Test & Automation team across Expeditionary and Emerging Operations.
• Define and execute verification strategies for multiple autonomy programs.
• Develop automated frameworks and test assets that improve quality and velocity.
• Establish readiness criteria, gates, and performance metrics across lifecycles.
• Collaborate with Digital Infrastructure to embed validation in CI/CD and testing pipelines.
• Mentor engineers, perform reviews, recruit talent, and drive technical excellence.
• Present readiness assessments and risks to program leadership and executives.

Skills

Leadership

Verification strategy

Automation frameworks

CI/CD integration

Mentoring engineers

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor’s or higher in Engineering or related field

Tools

ROS

SonarQube

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-BATaircraft, 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 is responsible for developing the verification, validation, and automation capabilities that enable rapid delivery of Hivemind autonomy across the Expeditionary and Emerging Operations portfolio. The team provides objective evidence of software quality, reliability, and mission readiness by developing scalable automation frameworks, repeatable validation environments, and software readiness assessments spanning Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), Vehicle-in-the-Loop (VIL), and operational test environments.

As the Software Test & Automation Manager, you will lead a multidisciplinary engineering team responsible for defining verification strategies, building automated validation capabilities, and establishing software readiness standards across a diverse portfolio that includes XBAT, VBAT, Weapons, Space, Maritime, and other emerging autonomy programs. You will partner closely with software engineering, systems engineering, platform integration, digital infrastructure, and flight test organizations to ensure autonomy capabilities are thoroughly validated and ready for operational deployment.

This role is ideal for a technical leader who enjoys building high-performing engineering teams, developing scalable automation strategies, and improving software quality through modern verification and continuous validation practices.

What you’ll do:

• Lead and grow a team of Software Test & Automation Engineers supporting Expeditionary and Emerging Operations.

• Define verification and validation strategies spanning simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, and operational test environments.

• Drive the development of automated regression testing, validation frameworks, and test infrastructure that improve software quality and engineering velocity.

• Establish software readiness criteria, quality gates, and objective performance metrics used to assess autonomy maturity throughout the development lifecycle.

• Partner with Digital Infrastructure to integrate automated validation into CI/CD pipelines and expand continuous testing capabilities.

• Develop common automation frameworks, reusable test assets, and validation methodologies across multiple autonomy programs.

• Coordinate software readiness activities with software engineering, systems engineering, platform integration, and flight test teams.

• Develop technical roadmaps, staffing plans, and engineering priorities aligned with organizational objectives.

• Mentor engineers, conduct performance reviews, recruit top talent, and foster technical excellence across the organization.

• Present software readiness assessments, technical risks, and validation status to program leadership, Chief Engineers, and executive stakeholders.

Required qualifications:

• Lead and grow a team of Software Test & Automation Engineers supporting Expeditionary and Emerging Operations.

• Define verification and validation strategies spanning simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, and operational test environments.

• Drive the development of automated regression testing, validation frameworks, and test infrastructure that improve software quality and engineering velocity.

• Establish software readiness criteria, quality gates, and objective performance metrics used to assess autonomy maturity throughout the development lifecycle.

• Partner with Digital Infrastructure to integrate automated validation into CI/CD pipelines and expand continuous testing capabilities.

• Develop common automation frameworks, reusable test assets, and validation methodologies across multiple autonomy programs.

• Coordinate software readiness activities with software engineering, systems engineering, platform integration, and flight test teams.

• Develop technical roadmaps, staffing plans, and engineering priorities aligned with organizational objectives.

• Mentor engineers, conduct performance reviews, recruit top talent, and foster technical excellence across the organization.

• Present software readiness assessments, technical risks, and validation status to program leadership, Chief Engineers, and executive stakeholders.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience supporting autonomous systems, robotics, or unmanned platforms.

• Experience with software quality tools such as SonarQube.

• Experience with ROS.

• Experience developing software readiness metrics, dashboards, and executive reporting.

• Experience supporting DoD programs and customer demonstrations.

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Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

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. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed toequal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, 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.