Senior Autonomy Integration & Flight Test Engineer

Shieldai; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Bonus

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI in San Diego seeks a Senior Autonomy Integration & Test Engineer to build and operate systems from concept through flight test across Group 1–3 aircraft. The role is hands-on, spanning hardware, software, autonomy, networking, and flight operations.

You will execute integration, debug complex issues, develop test plans (SIL/HIL/VIL/real flights), support flight tests, and build Python/C++ tools for automation. ROS, MAVLink, ArduPilot, and PX4 experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 4–7 years of experience in integration and testing of robotics, autonomy, aerospace, or similar complex systems.
• Strong hands-on experience with real hardware systems and field or flight testing.
• Experience with SIL, HIL, and VIL environments.
• Direct experience with ArduPilot and MAVLINK.
• Experience with ROS.
• Ability to design, build, and configure medium-complexity bench-top setups.
• Proficiency in Python and C++ for scripting, automation, or debugging.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex, cross-disciplinary systems (hardware, software, communications).
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Execute hands-on integration and testing of Hivemind autonomy systems on Group 1–3 platforms.
• Debug and troubleshoot complex system issues across autonomy, flight controllers, radios, networking, and software interfaces.
• Develop and execute test plans across simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, and real flight environments.
• Support flight test operations, including system bring-up, pre-flight checks, in-flight monitoring, and post-flight analysis.
• Build and maintain test tools, automation, and infrastructure in Python and C++.
• Develop interface software for new hardware and sensors.
• Analyze test data and drive root-cause investigations to improve system performance and reliability.
• Collaborate with software, hardware, and flight test teams for seamless integration.
• Operate in fast-paced, evolving environments with changing requirements.
• Identify and implement improvements to test efficiency, coverage, and robustness.

Skills

Hands-on testing

Flight testing

Automation

System debugging

Python

C++

ROS

MAVLink

ArduPilot

Autonomy systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Robotics/Aerospace

Tools

Python

C++

ROS

MAVLINK

ArduPilot

PX4

Cube flight hardware

Job description

Shield AI in San Diego seeks a Senior Autonomy Integration & Test Engineer to build and operate systems from concept through flight test across Group 1–3 aircraft. The role is hands-on, spanning hardware, software, autonomy, networking, and flight operations.

You will execute integration, debug complex issues, develop test plans (SIL/HIL/VIL/real flights), support flight tests, and build Python/C++ tools for automation. ROS, MAVLink, ArduPilot, and PX4 experience preferred.