Senior Engineer, VBAT Software Test Automation (Hiring Multiple Levels)

Shield AI; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

A defense tech company in San Diego seeks a software engineer to enhance automation capabilities in testing for V-BAT's operations. The role demands 2+ years of experience and a Bachelor's degree in engineering or computer science, along with strong C++ or Python skills. Responsibilities include building software for testing, defining test cases, and supporting release planning. Positive growth and a fast-paced environment are emphasized, with a competitive salary range of $94,000 to $140,000 plus benefits and equity.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of related experience with Bachelor's degree; or some industry experience with advanced degree.
• Strong programming skills in C++ or Python, basic proficiency in the other.
• Familiar with version control and build/packaging systems.

Responsibilities

• Work with GNC and Embedded teams to build software for automation.
• Define test cases to automate software verification.
• Implement software interfaces for testing environments.
• Prototype solutions quickly for testing unblocking.
• Support release test planning leading to flight events.

Skills

C++

Python

Version control (git)

Build/packaging systems (CMake, Poetry)

Education

Bachelor's degree in CE, CS, or EE

Master's or PhD degree

Job description

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Shield AI has been redefining autonomous aviation with cutting-edge AI and GPS/RF-denied navigation technologies for the past few years.

We’re looking for a software engineer, well versed in development and testing, to help continue building V-BAT's test operations, specifically automation capabilities and tools used to test software components ranging from autonomy, embedded systems, ground control applications, and more – you will gather requirements and write software to automate them.

This is an opportunity to build and solve problems defense primes are unwilling to. You'll be supported by world-class engineers, but you’re expected to learn on the job and deliver weekly – you’ll need to be hungry and motivated to grow!

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Work directly with our GNC and Embedded teams daily to build software that leverages simulation, avionics, and/or custom hardware to automate testing
• Define test cases to verify and validate embedded or GNC software at a system level, automating them to run continuously
• Implement software interfaces and drivers to orchestrate simulation environments, hardware devices, and test equipment – enabling real-world behaviors, failure injection, and hardware manipulation for various test scenarios
• Quickly prototype solutions using software & hardware to unblock testing, harden your prototype into scalable products for continuous release testing
• Support release test planning and execution leading up to flight test events and major product milestones

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 2+ years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree (CE, CS, EE); or some industry experience (intern, startup, self‑projects) with a Master’s or PhD degree
• Strong C++ or Python skills, basic proficiency in the other
• Familiarity with common version control (git) and build/packaging systems (CMake, Poetry, etc)
• Passion for growth, fast-paced environments, and holding self to a high standard of excellence

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 2+ years building automated test solutions for aircraft or autonomous vehicles
• Experience in automated testing, bare-metal firmware development, or simulation tooling

$94,000 - $140,000 a year

Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed toequal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.