Software QA Automation Engineer, III

AeroVironment, Inc.; Virginia Colony (CA); On-site; USD 101,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits package

9/80 work schedule

Holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking an experienced Software QA Automation Engineer III to design automated solutions validating mission systems software and maintain robust test infrastructure. The role collaborates with the development and system test teams, while operating with substantial autonomy.

Responsibilities include expanding the automated test suite, owning tests, and mentoring junior team members. Familiarity with Linux, CI pipelines (GitLab), and risk-focused QA practices is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 5–8 years of relevant experience.
• Proficiency in at least one of C/C++, Python, C#/.NET, or Java; OO design a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, expand and maintain automated test suite and frameworks (e.g., Xray).
• Own isolated component, subsystem, and automated system tests; support HIL regressions and flight tests.
• Define scope, resources, benchmarks and goals for manual & automation work.
• Define and implement QA practices, procedures, standards and reporting.
• Support bug reporting and review; mitigate software risks.

Skills

C/C++

Python

C#/.NET

Java

Software QA automation

Automation frameworks

Linux

GitLab

Code reviews

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in related discipline

Tools

Xray

GitLab

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary

The Software QA Automation Engineer III designs automated solutions to systematically verify mission systems software and maintain robust test infrastructure. In this role, one regularly collaborates with the development team and the system test team, while operating with a large degree of autonomy.

Position Responsibilities

• Participates in the design, expansion and maintenance of the automated test suite and frameworks (e.g., Xray)
• Owns isolated component, sub-system, and automated system tests; reviews system requirements and co-authors system test plans, and supports hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) regressions and engineering flight tests
• Defines and plan scope, resource needs, benchmarks and goals of manual & automation work
• Defines and implement QA practices, procedures, standards and reporting
• Supports the bug reporting and review process; contributes to software risk identification, tracking, and mitigation
• Identifies project risks, quantify risk/benefit relationships and provide alternative solutions as well as risk mitigation
• Designs test plans, scenarios and cases to exercise new functionality & identify breaking issues
• Analyzes, designs, programs, debugs, and modifies test software and automation for embedded, networked, and mission systems software
• Partners with resources as needed to validate software with project time line
• Mentors less experienced team members on QA/QC concepts, methodologies and best practices
• Works on problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in related discipline is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum 5 - 8 years of relevant experience
• Proficiency in one or more of C/C++, Python, C# .NET, or Java; object-oriented design experience is a plus
• Experienced in Software QA automation
• Experienced in building and optimizing automation frameworks (e.g., Xray or similar), with scripting in Python or similar
• Comfortable 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 practices
• Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S. (20%)

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Champions quality by forging influential relationships across QA, development, product, DevOps, and system test teams
• Experience testing embedded, robotics, UAS, or other safety- or mission-critical software is a strong plus
• Familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test environments and lab hardware is a plus
• Embraces AI-assisted development and test tools to accelerate automation and related engineering work
• Demonstrates strong debugging / problem resolution skills, and competency in multitasking and handling multiple time critical issues / projects simultaneously
• Demonstrates passion to continuously improve and execute tests for a faster and higher quality result
• Is an experienced professional with a full understanding of area of specialization; resolves a wide range of issues in creative ways
• Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
• Has effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Physical 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 Level

Secret

Salary Range

The salary range for this role is: $100,500 - $153,250 AeroVironment 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.

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

ITAR U.S. Citizenship required. Must be willing to work on government contracts and have the ability to obtain a security clearance.