Senior Engineer, Autonomy Systems Integration and Test (r4472)

at Shield AI · Defense · San Diego, CA · Integration & Test

Senior Engineer focused on integrating and testing autonomy systems for unmanned aircraft (Group 1 and Group 2). The role involves hands-on work across simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, and live flight environments to ensure system reliability and scale testing capabilities. It bridges software, hardware, and flight operations.

What you'd actually do

  1. lead hands-on integration and testing of Hivemind autonomy systems across Group 1 and Group 2 aircraft
  2. work across simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, and live flight environments to ensure our systems perform reliably in the field
  3. play a key role in bridging software, hardware, and flight operations while helping scale our testing capabilities

Skills

Required

  • integration and testing of autonomy systems
  • simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, and live flight environments
  • flight controllers
  • radios
  • communication interfaces
  • autonomy

What the JD emphasized

  • deeply practical
  • real hardware
  • real aircraft
  • real-world problem solving
  • thrives in ambiguity
  • moves with urgency
  • digging into complex system issues

Other signals

  • integrating and validating autonomy
  • real hardware, real aircraft, and real-world problem solving
  • bridging software, hardware, and flight operations
  • scale our testing capabilities
Read full 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.

Job Description:

Shield AI’s mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. The Hivemind Solutions Test Department brings this mission to life by integrating and validating autonomy across a range of unmanned aircraft systems, from small Group 1 platforms up to larger Group 5 aircraft.

We are seeking a Senior Autonomy Integration & Test Engineer to lead hands-on integration and testing of Hivemind autonomy systems across Group 1 and Group 2 aircraft. This role is deeply practical, involving real hardware, real aircraft, and real-world problem solving. You will work across simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, and live flight environments to ensure our systems perform reliably in the field.

This is an ideal role for someone who thrives in ambiguity, moves with urgency, and enjoys digging into complex system issues across flight controllers, radios, communication interfaces and autonomy. You will play a key role in bridging software, hardware, and flight operations while helping scale our testing capabilities.

What you'll do:

Required qualifications:

Preferred qualifications:

#LI-LD1

#LC

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 to equal 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.