Senior Engineer, VBAT Software Test Automation (Hiring Multiple Levels)

Shield AI; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI in San Diego, CA seeks a software engineer to help automate testing across autonomy software, GNC, embedded systems, and simulation tools. You will gather requirements and write software to automate test processes for real-world flight scenarios.

Responsibilities include defining test cases, building interfaces to simulate hardware, and prototyping solutions that evolve into scalable testing products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CE, CS or EE with 2+ years of related experience, or equivalent industry experience with advanced degree.
• Strong C++ or Python skills with basic proficiency in the other.
• Familiarity with version control (git) and build/packaging (CMake, Poetry).
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and maintain high standards.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with GNC and Embedded teams to build software for simulation, avionics, and hardware automation.
• Define system-level test cases and automate them for continuous execution.
• Create software interfaces and drivers to orchestrate simulation environments and test hardware.
• Prototype solutions quickly and evolve them into scalable products for release testing.
• Support release test planning and execution toward flight test events.

Skills

C++

Python

Git

CMake

Poetry

Education

Bachelor's degree in CE/CS/EE

Master's or PhD (preferred)

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 .

Shield AI has been redefining autonomous aviation with cutting-edge AI and GPS/RF-denied navigation technologies for the past few years.

We’re looking for a software engineer, well versed in development and testing, to help continue building V-BAT's test operations, specifically automation capabilities and tools used to test software components ranging from autonomy, embedded systems, ground control applications, and more – you will gather requirements and write software to automate them.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Work directly with our GNC and Embedded teams daily to build software that leverages simulation, avionics, and/or custom hardware to automate testing
• Define test cases to verify and validate embedded or GNC software at a system level, automating them to run continuously
• Implement software interfaces and drivers to orchestrate simulation environments, hardware devices, and test equipment – enabling real-world behaviors, failure injection, and hardware manipulation for various test scenarios
• Quickly prototype solutions using software & hardware to unblock testing, harden your prototype into scalable products for continuous release testing
• Support release test planning and execution leading up to flight test events and major product milestones

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 2+ years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree (CE, CS, EE); or some industry experience (intern, startup, self-projects) with a Master’s or PhD degree
• Strong C++ or Python skills, basic proficiency in the other
• Familiarity with common version control (git) and build/packaging systems (CMake, Poetry, etc)
• Passion for growth, fast-paced environments, and holding self to a high standard of excellence

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of related experience building automated test solutions
• Experience building automated test solutions for aircraft of autonomous vehicles
• Experience in automated testing, bare-metal firmware development, or simulation tooling
• Ability to obtain security clearance

$95,000 - $200,000 a year

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 to equal 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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.