The Hivemind Solutions Test Department is seeking an Engineer II (Software & Simulation Focus) to join our DC-based team. Since Shield AI's mission is to protect service members and civilians, The Hivemind Solutions Test Department makes this a reality by validating the reliability, safety, and performance of our world-class autonomy software.
You’ll lead simulation-driven testing, automation, and software quality efforts for Hivemind, building and executing test frameworks that ensure our autonomy software performs reliably across simulated and real-world mission environments.
Shield AI is growing quickly, and we're looking for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, embraces learning, and brings a high-ownership, mission-driven mindset. This is a chance to have a real impact—advancing autonomy that protects lives—while working with a collaborative, high-performing team.
What you'll do:
- Develop automated regression, integration, and system-level tests to ensure Hivemind software quality and stability across releases
- Identify, reproduce, and diagnose software issues—collaborating closely with development teams to drive fixes and improvements
- Create and execute test plans and documentation for autonomy software in simulated environments, ensuring mission and safety requirements are met
- Design, implement, and maintain simulation-based test frameworks to validate Hivemind autonomy behavior and performance
- Build tools and utilities in Python to automate testing, data processing, and analysis workflows
- Develop test harnesses and data validation tools for Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) / Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) / Vehicle-in-the-Loop (VIL) and simulation environments
- Contribute to the definition of testing methodologies, metrics, and performance benchmarks for autonomy software validation
- Support the scaling and reliability of simulation infrastructure used for large-scale software validation
- Maintain detailed and accurate test documentation, ensuring traceability and knowledge sharing across teams
- Work with developers to integrate test coverage directly into the development pipeline (CI/CD)
Required qualifications:
- Typically requires a minimum of 2 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 0 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD without experience; or equivalent work experience.
- Proficiency in Python
- Experience in robotics, small UAS, or related hands-on engineering projects
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and debugging skills
- Passionate about intelligent aircraft systems
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional software, hardware and mechanical engineering teams
- Adaptability and a willingness to learn new technologies and methodologies quickly in a fast-paced environment
- The ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET Clearance. US citizenship is required as only US citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience testing autonomous systems, robotics software, or flight autonomy algorithms
- Familiarity with C++ and software/hardware integration concepts.
- Experience with HIL or VIL test environments.
- Exposure to machine learning or AI-driven autonomy systems.
- Background in simulation infrastructure design, distributed testing, or test data management.
- Quality Assurance (QA) experience, including process definition, metrics, and validation tracking
- Experience with aerospace, defense, or mission-critical software
- Active SECRET clearance preferred
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree (or Master's/PhD alternative) or equivalent work experience
- Minimum of ~2 years related experience (or equivalent per degree rules)
- Proficiency in Python
- Experience in robotics, small UAS, or related hands-on engineering projects
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and debugging skills
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Adaptability and willingness to learn new technologies quickly
- Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance; US citizenship required
- Work on simulation-based test frameworks, automation, and CI/CD integration
What the Team is Saying
Shield AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Company materials describe excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage alongside a mental‑health EAP. Site perks such as an onsite gym in DC and a gym discount in San Diego support a health‑focused offering.
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Retirement Support — Careers materials highlight a 401(k) with company match as part of the standard package. A Total Rewards overview emphasizes retirement features within a broader, transparent compensation view.
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Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Compensation for in‑demand technical and senior go‑to‑market roles is described as competitive, with visible engineering ranges and top‑end packages. This points to meaningful upside tied to role, level, and scarce skills.
Shield AI Insights
What We Do
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.
Why Work With Us
What makes Shield AI special is our people. We unlock the power of autonomy, and in the face of overwhelming odds and challenges, we find ways to win and make a difference for our customers. We bring together software, AI, and aerospace engineering disciplines to deploy the most intelligent aviation capabilities in the world.
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Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
