XBAT Software Test Engineer (R3696)

About the position

As the XBAT Software Test Engineer on the SIO team, you will lead the verification and validation of autonomy, mission-oriented, and avionics software for Shield AI's next-gen aircraft systems. These platforms demand the highest levels of system integrity, operational reliability, and test rigor. Your role will center around designing scalable, automated test infrastructure, validating mission-critical behaviors across simulation and real aircraft environments, and enabling rapid, safe deployment of software to flight operations. You'll partner closely with engineering, product, and flight test teams to ensure the system is testable, traceable, and always ready for mission.

Responsibilities

• Lead system-level software testing and verification for Shield AI's upcoming X-BAT platform.
• Own end-to-end system test strategy for software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and vehicle-in-the-loop (VIL) environments.
• Design and implement mission-critical system test cases validating autonomous behaviors, requirements compliance, and operational edge cases.
• Coordinate and execute flight test and software release campaigns.
• Develop and maintain tooling for requirements-test traceability, test result reporting, and release qualification.
• Drive system-level integration testing workflows, including regression, performance, fault injection, and safety-critical operational scenarios.
• Mentor junior engineers in best practices for high-assurance system verification, aircraft software development, and rigorous test design.

Requirements

• 7+ years' experience in system/software test engineering, including 3+ years with aerospace, defense, or autonomous vehicle platforms.
• Demonstrated track record of success in system-level testing and release efforts for complex, safety-critical platforms.
• Excellent proficiency in automating test infrastructure using Python, C++, and other modern tools.
• Very strong experience building and using simulation and hardware-in-the-loop capabilities for automated integration testing.
• Excellent understanding of requirements validation and traceability processes.
• Working knowledge of aerospace verification standards (e.g., DO-178C) and/or airworthiness, safety case, or certification-aligned testing.
• Ability to work independently in fast-paced, ambiguous environments while collaborating across multiple disciplines.

Nice-to-haves

• Direct experience supporting or leading flight test campaigns and airborne software releases.
• Hands-on experience with simulation frameworks, mission scenario scripting, or real-time test systems.
• Experience building tools for requirements-traceability, test coverage analysis, defect tracking, or test reporting.
• Strong familiarity with modern DevOps tools (e.g., Git, CI/CD, Docker).

Benefits

• Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
• Temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)