System Test Engineer II: Autonomy & UAS Flight Testing

Shield; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a System Test Engineer II to support integration, verification, and validation of Hivemind Mission Autonomy across unmanned aircraft systems. This hands-on role spans simulation, labs, SIL/HIL, and flight-test environments, under senior engineer guidance, with opportunities to collaborate across engineering teams and customers.

You will help plan tests, execute procedures, collect data, analyze results, and contribute to reports and readiness materials.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a STEM discipline or equivalent practical experience.
• Foundational experience with engineering test, integration, or verification.
• Familiarity with systems engineering concepts and documentation.
• Interest in autonomous systems, UAS, or flight-test operations.
• Proficiency with Linux, Windows, and scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or C++.
• Ability to work methodically and communicate findings clearly.
• Willingness to travel periodically.

Responsibilities

• Support test planning and execution for integration of Hivemind Mission Autonomy onto unmanned platforms.
• Assist with defining test objectives, expected behavior, 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, configure, and verify test hardware, software, networks, sensors, and ground-control equipment.
• Collect test data, telemetry, logs, and evidence for analysis.
• Analyze results, document defects, and support root-cause investigations with cross-functional teams.
• Contribute to performance metrics, test-readiness materials, dashboards, and reports.
• Maintain test infrastructure, automation, simulation tools, and repeatable configurations.
• Support procedures, configuration-control, lessons learned, and engineering documents.
• Participate in test-readiness reviews and technical planning meetings.
• Follow safety, security, and operational procedures during tests and flight activities.
• Travel periodically to internal sites, customer locations, and integration events.

Skills

Python

C++

Bash

Linux basics

Troubleshooting

Education

MS in STEM field

Equivalent practical experience

Tools

Git

CI/CD

Test automation tools

Issue tracking

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a System Test Engineer II to support integration, verification, and validation of Hivemind Mission Autonomy across unmanned aircraft systems. This hands-on role spans simulation, labs, SIL/HIL, and flight-test environments, under senior engineer guidance, with opportunities to collaborate across engineering teams and customers.

You will help plan tests, execute procedures, collect data, analyze results, and contribute to reports and readiness materials.