Senior System Integration Test Engineer – Autonomy

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

Job summary

Shield AI seeks a System Integration Test Engineer to integrate Hivemind autonomy software with aircraft platforms, in SIL/HIL and HIL environments, working with Shield AI and vendor labs. You will create integration plans, coordinate across teams, and resolve gaps early to ensure readiness for flight testing.

The role requires 5+ years in aerospace/defense systems, Linux/Python scripting, and the ability to travel for vendor and flight-test activities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, or related field, or 3+ years with a Master’s.
• Lab & hardware integration: experience in system integration and test, including SIL, HIL, simulation, and flight test environments.
• Test planning: ability to author clear integration test plans, procedures, and test cards; translate results into actionable findings.
• Troubleshooting: ability to diagnose complex system interfaces using telemetry, logs, and packet capture tools (e.g., Wireshark).
• Scripting & Linux: proficiency with Linux and scripting (Python preferred) for test automation and data analysis.
• Communication & Organization: ability to coordinate integration tasks across distributed teams and partners.
• Travel Flexibility: willingness to travel to vendor facilities and flight test locations.
• Clearance & Citizenship: US DoD SECRET clearance and US citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Integrate Mission Autonomy on ACP hardware: Deploy, integrate, and verify Hivemind software with ACP hardware in SIL/HIL labs.
• Develop detailed integration test plans, test cards, schedules, and success criteria across lab, ground, and flight test phases.
• Identify and close integration gaps: define gap-closure plans and risk mitigations with Shield engineering and partners.
• Coordinate joint lab execution with aircraft OEMs and platform vendors to align criteria and bench time.
• Conduct hands-on lab triage: run integration tests, configure test benches, troubleshoot anomalies.
• Drive test automation and tooling: design and build scripts to accelerate development.
• Gate flight readiness and support flight test: enforce entry/exit criteria, support flight test prep and data analysis.
• Travel to test sites and events as required.

Skills

SIL/HIL experience

Test planning

Troubleshooting

Python scripting

Linux

Communication & organization

Travel flexibility

Security clearance

Education

Bachelors in Aerospace, Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, or Systems Eng

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Wireshark

Telemetry/Logs analysis tools

Job description

Shield AI seeks a System Integration Test Engineer to integrate Hivemind autonomy software with aircraft platforms, in SIL/HIL and HIL environments, working with Shield AI and vendor labs. You will create integration plans, coordinate across teams, and resolve gaps early to ensure readiness for flight testing.

The role requires 5+ years in aerospace/defense systems, Linux/Python scripting, and the ability to travel for vendor and flight-test activities.