Senior Automation & Validation Engineer, Autonomy

Shield; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Software Test & Automation Engineer to design and maintain automated test frameworks and tooling that enable rapid delivery of Hivemind autonomy across environments. You will work with autonomy software, systems engineering, and flight test teams to define validation strategies and drive readiness for operational deployment.

The role emphasizes Python automation, test harness development, and integration of testing into CI/CD workflows, ensuring scalable

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, 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, identify software 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.

Skills

Python

CI/CD

Linux

Test automation

Debugging

Software verification

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Git

JUnit/NUnit

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Software Test & Automation Engineer to design and maintain automated test frameworks and tooling that enable rapid delivery of Hivemind autonomy across environments. You will work with autonomy software, systems engineering, and flight test teams to define validation strategies and drive readiness for operational deployment.

The role emphasizes Python automation, test harness development, and integration of testing into CI/CD workflows, ensuring scalable