Senior Software QA Engineer, Aviation

Jobtailor; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a senior QA and Systems Engineer to drive the quality, safety, and scale of our Drone as a First Responder (DFR) systems. You will test software interfaces and integrate mechatronic systems, bridging hardware and cloud-connected software.

You will evaluate drone and dock systems in Atlanta, author test plans, and establish automated pipelines. Strong Python/Linux skills, experience with safety-critical domains, and familiarity with cloud tools are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of QA, test, or systems engineering experience on complex safety-critical mechatronic systems (robotics, UAVs, aerospace).
• Experience authoring test cases, test plans, and using test case management platforms (e.g., Qase).
• Knowledge of serial communications (CAN, UART), computer vision, edge computing, and live data streaming.
• Strong Python, Bash, or similar scripting language skills for test scripts and automation.
• Mastery of Linux systems, log-level debugging, and CLI tools across sensors, embedded controllers, and cloud backends.
• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and navigate multi-disciplinary engineering problems.
• Nice-to-have: drone/aviation systems experience and FAA Part 107, AWS cloud tools, Gazebo, DO-178C, ISO 26262, or ASTM safety standards.
• Nice-to-have: video streaming protocols (RTSP, WebRTC) and LTE/5G data link optimization.

Responsibilities

• Drive quality, safety, and scale of Drone as a First Responder (DFR) systems.
• Test software interfaces and ensure reliability of integrated mechatronic systems.
• Work at the intersection of hardware and cloud-connected software.
• Ensure drones, docks, and radar accessories operate when needed by first responders.
• Evaluate existing drone and dock systems in Atlanta within the first 30 days.
• Author and execute test plans for active software builds in the next 60 days.
• Establish automated testing pipelines for next-generation systems beyond 90 days.

Skills

Quality Assurance

Systems Engineering

Python

Linux

Test Automation

Cloud Technologies

CAN/UART

Computer Vision

Edge Computing

Live Data Streaming

AWS

Grafana

Tableau

Gazebo

DO-178C

Education

Bachelor/Master in Engineering or CS

Tools

Qase

Grafana

Tableau

Gazebo

Job description

Responsibilities

• Drive the quality, safety, and scale of our Drone as a First Responder (DFR) systems.
• Test software interfaces and ensure reliability of integrated mechatronic systems.
• Work at the intersection of physical hardware and cloud-connected software.
• Ensure drones, docks, and radar accessories operate flawlessly when needed by first responders.
• Evaluate existing drone and dock systems in Atlanta within the first 30 days.
• Author and execute test plans for active software builds in the next 60 days.
• Execute overarching QA validation strategy and establish automated testing pipelines for next-generation systems beyond 90 days.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
• 8+ years of QA, test, or systems engineering experience working on complex safety-critical mechatronic systems (e.g., robotics, autonomous vehicles, UAVs, or aerospace).
• Demonstrated experience authoring detailed test cases, structuring test plans, and utilizing test case management platforms (such as Qase) to track execution metrics.
• Technical understanding of serial communications (e.g., CAN, UART), computer vision, edge computing, and live data streaming.
• Strong proficiency in Python, Bash, or similar scripting languages to build custom test scripts and modify test automation frameworks.
• Mastery of Linux systems, log-level debugging, and using CLI tools to diagnose issues spanning across physical sensors, embedded microcontrollers, and cloud backends.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, challenge architectural designs constructively with data, and navigate ambiguous, multi-disciplinary engineering problems.
• Experience in drone or aviation systems and/or FAA Part 107 certification (nice-to-have).
• Hands-on experience with AWS and cloud technologies, including visualization and backend database tools (e.g., Grafana, Sigma, Tableau) (nice-to-have).
• Familiarity with simulation tools such as Gazebo (nice-to-have).
• Familiarity with aviation safety standards, DO-178C, ISO 26262, or ASTM standards related to autonomous drone operations and DFR infrastructure (nice-to-have).
• Familiarity with video streaming protocols (RTSP, WebRTC) and cellular data link performance optimization (LTE/5G) under varying environmental conditions (nice-to-have).

Core Competencies

Expertise in Quality Assurance and Systems Engineering for safety-critical mechatronic systems, with strong proficiency in Python and Linux. Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and establish automated testing pipelines for drone systems.