System Test Engineer II – Autonomy & Flight-Test

Speedrun Talent Network; San Diego, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI, a defense-tech innovator, is seeking a System Test Engineer II in San Diego to support integration, verification, and validation of Hivemind Mission Autonomy across unmanned aircraft systems. You’ll work with cross-functional teams to plan, execute, document, and improve system-level test activities in simulation, labs, and flight-test contexts.

The role is hands-on for an early-career candidate with interest in autonomy, robotics, and software-hardware integration, requiring

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a STEM discipline or equivalent practical experience.
• Foundational experience in engineering test, integration, troubleshooting, or verification.
• Familiarity with systems-engineering concepts: requirements, verification, validation, test procedures, configuration management.
• Interest in autonomous systems, robotics, unmanned aircraft systems, flight-test operations, simulation, or software-hardware integration.
• Familiarity with Linux/Windows, CLI, networking basics, and scripting/programming (Python, Bash, C++).
• Ability to work methodically, follow procedures, and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with good written/verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Support test planning and execution for integration onto unmanned platforms.
• Assist senior engineers with test objectives, acceptance criteria, and verification methods.
• Develop, execute, and maintain system-level test procedures and configurations.
• Set up and troubleshoot SIL, HIL, simulation, lab, and automated test environments.
• Install and verify test hardware, software, networks, ground-control equipment, and sensors.
• Collect test data, logs, telemetry, and other evidence to evaluate behavior.
• Analyze results, identify deviations, and support root-cause investigations.
• Contribute to reports, dashboards, and test-readiness materials for teams and customers.
• Maintain test infrastructure, automation, and repeatable configurations.
• Support documentation, SOPs, and engineering records.

Skills

System test planning

Data analysis

Documentation

Cross-functional communication

Python/Bash

C++

Education

Master’s degree in STEM

Equivalent practical experience

Tools

Git

SIL/HIL

Python

Linux

Job description

Shield AI, a defense-tech innovator, is seeking a System Test Engineer II in San Diego to support integration, verification, and validation of Hivemind Mission Autonomy across unmanned aircraft systems. You’ll work with cross-functional teams to plan, execute, document, and improve system-level test activities in simulation, labs, and flight-test contexts.

The role is hands-on for an early-career candidate with interest in autonomy, robotics, and software-hardware integration, requiring