Software QA Automation Engineer, II

AeroVironment, Inc.; Moorpark (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Software QA Automation Engineer II to design and maintain automated test suites for mission systems software. You will collaborate with development and system test teams while acting with autonomy to improve quality.

The role focuses on building tests for embedded, networked, and flight-critical software, reviewing requirements, and contributing to CI pipelines and test frameworks. Travel up to 20% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• 2–5 years of relevant experience in QA automation.
• Experience with C/C++, Python, C#/.NET, or Java and automation.
• Experience building or contributing to automation frameworks (e.g., Xray).
• Comfortable working in Linux and with source control / CI pipelines (GitLab).

Responsibilities

• Design, expand and maintain automated test suites and frameworks.
• Contribute to isolated component, sub-system, and automated system tests.
• Review system requirements and support test plans, HIL regressions, and flight tests.
• Apply QA practices, procedures, standards and reporting.
• Mentor entry level team members on QA/QC concepts and best practices.

Skills

C/C++

Python

C#/.NET

Java

QA automation

CI pipelines

GitLab

Education

Bachelor's degree in related discipline

Tools

Xray

CI pipelines

GitLab

Job description

Worker TypeRegularJob DescriptionSummaryThe Software QA Automation Engineer II designs automated solutions to systematically verify mission systems software and helps maintain robust test infrastructure. In this role, one regularly collaborates with the development team and the system test team while operating with a good degree of autonomy.Position Responsibilities:Participates in the design, expansion and maintenance of the automated test suite and frameworks (e.g., Xray)Contributes to isolated component, sub-system, and automated system tests; reviews system requirements and supports system test plans, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) regressions, and engineering flight testsDefines and plan scope, resource needs, benchmarks and goals of manual & automation workApplies QA practices, procedures, standards and reportingSupports the bug reporting and review process; helps identify and track software risksIdentifies project risks, quantify risk/benefit relationships and provide alternative solutions as well as risk mitigationDesigns test plans, scenarios and cases to exercise new functionality & identify breaking issuesAnalyzes, designs, programs, debugs, and modifies test software and automation for embedded, networked, and mission systems softwarePartners with resources as needed to validate software with project time lineMentors entry level team members on QA/QC concepts, methodologies and best practicesWorks on problems of moderate scope where analysis of situations or data requires a review of a variety of factorsOther duties as assignedBasic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience):Bachelor's degree in related discipline is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experienceMinimum 2 - 5 years of relevant experienceFamiliarity with one or more of C/C++, Python, C# .NET, or Java; object-oriented design experience is a plusExperienced in Software QA automationExperience building or contributing to automation frameworks (e.g., Xray or similar), with scripting in Python or similarComfortable working in Linux and with source control / CI pipelines (e.g., GitLab)Experienced performing code reviews and mentoring team members on automation concepts and best practicesOccasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S. (20%)Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies:Developing professional expertise, applies company policies and procedures to resolve a variety of issuesChampions quality by forging influential relationships across QA, development, product, DevOps, and system test teamsExposure to embedded, robotics, UAS, or other safety- or mission-critical software is a plusFamiliarity with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test environments and lab hardware is a plusEmbraces AI-assisted development and test tools to accelerate automation and related engineering workDemonstrates strong debugging / problem resolution skills, and competency in multitasking and handling multiple time critical issues / projects simultaneouslyDemonstrates passion to continuously improve and execute tests for a faster and higher quality resultExercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate actionAble to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of dutiesDisplays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectivesTakes ownership and responsibility for current and past work productsIs committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the companyHas effective interpersonal and communication skillsFocuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interestsPhysical Demands:Ability to work in an office and R&D environment (Constant)Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)Special Requirements:U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.Clearance LevelNo ClearanceThe salary range for this role is:$82,000 - $125,000AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.ITAR Requirement:This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.About AV:AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.ITARU.S. Citizenship required. Must be willing to work on government contracts and have the ability to obtain a security clearance.