Senior Test Engineer – Autonomous UAS for Defense

Battelle; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Compressed work schedule

Hybrid work model (60% in-office / 40%

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision coverage

401(k) retirement with employer match

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Battelle is seeking a Test Engineer III for autonomous sUAS systems to lead testing activities from Beavercreek, OH or Columbus, OH. This role advances verification, validation, and data analysis across lab, simulation, and field tests.

You will collaborate with software, RF, cybersecurity, and hardware teams, mentor staff, and support government and customer demonstrations while ensuring safety and mission success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in test engineering, systems integration, aerospace systems, robotics, autonomy, or related fields.
• Experience developing and executing verification and validation strategies for complex systems.
• Proficiency with Python, C++, MATLAB, or similar environments.
• Experience analyzing telemetry, sensor, and performance data from fielded systems.
• Familiarity with systems engineering processes, requirements verification, and technical documentation.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel in support of testing activities and to obtain/maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of test plans, procedures, and verification activities for autonomous sUAS systems and mission payloads.
• Design and conduct laboratory, simulation, integration, environmental, and field-testing activities.
• Evaluate system performance against technical requirements, operational scenarios, and customer objectives.
• Develop traceability between requirements, test procedures, and validation results.
• Identify technical risks and recommend mitigation strategies throughout the development lifecycle.
• Validate autonomous capabilities including GPS-denied navigation, waypoint navigation, obstacle avoidance, target tracking, swarm behaviors, and dynamic replanning.
• Assess AI/ML-enabled autonomy performance in operational test environments.
• Investigate system anomalies and lead root-cause analysis efforts.
• Support planning, coordination, and execution of flight test events and demonstrations.
• Oversee data collection and quality assurance of telemetry, sensor, communications, and mission data.
• Develop automated test tools and data analysis scripts.
• Collaborate with software, systems, RF, cybersecurity, autonomy, and hardware teams.

Skills

Python

C++

MATLAB

Telemetry analysis

Systems engineering

Verification & validation

Data analysis

Testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical/Systems/Robotics/CS or related

Tools

PX4

ArduPilot

ROS/ROS2

Gazebo

AirSim

Job description

Battelle is seeking a Test Engineer III for autonomous sUAS systems to lead testing activities from Beavercreek, OH or Columbus, OH. This role advances verification, validation, and data analysis across lab, simulation, and field tests.

You will collaborate with software, RF, cybersecurity, and hardware teams, mentor staff, and support government and customer demonstrations while ensuring safety and mission success.