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 who thrives as a multidisciplinary builder and operator — someone who can take systems from concept and benchtop integration all the way through flight test and field deployment. This role is deeply hands-on and spans hardware, software, autonomy, networking, and flight operations across Group 1 and Group 2 aircraft. You will work across simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, and live flight environments to solve complex real-world problems, rapidly iterate on evolving systems, and ensure Hivemind autonomy performs reliably in operational conditions.
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:
Execute hands-on integration and testing of Hivemind autonomy systems on Group 1–3 platforms.
Debug and troubleshoot complex system issues across autonomy, flight controllers, radios, networking, and software interfaces
Develop and execute test plans across simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, and real flight environments
Support flight test operations including system bring-up, pre-flight checks, in-flight monitoring, and post-flight analysis
Build and maintain test tools, automation, and infrastructure in Python and C++
Develop interface software for new hardware and sensors.
Analyze test data and drive root cause investigations to improve system performance and reliability
Collaborate closely with software, hardware, and flight test teams to ensure seamless integration
Operate effectively in fast-paced, ambiguous environments where systems and processes are still evolving
Identify and implement improvements to test efficiency, coverage, and system robustness
Required qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace, or related field, or equivalent experience
4–7 years of experience in integration and testing of robotics, autonomy, aerospace, or similar complex systems
Strong hands-on experience working with real hardware systems and field or flight testing
Experience with SIL, HIL, and VIL environments.
Direct experience with Ardupilot and MAVLINK
Experience with ROS.
Ability to design, build, and configure medium complexity benchtop setups.
Proficiency in Python and C++ for scripting, automation, or debugging
Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex, cross-disciplinary systems (hardware, software, communications)
Comfortable working in ambiguous environments with evolving requirements
Strong sense of ownership, urgency, and problem-solving mindset
U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain a SECRET clearance
Preferred qualifications:
Aviation experience, such as Private Pilot’s License or Part 107c.
CI/CD experience
Experience with PX4 and/or cube family of hardware
Experience with unmanned aerial systems (fixed-wing, quadrotor, or both)
Background in autonomy, robotics, or aerospace systems
Familiarity with flight controllers, radios, and communications systems
Experience supporting flight test operations
Experience contributing to automated test frameworks or infrastructure
Active SECRET clearance
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace, or related field, or equivalent experience
- 4-7 years of experience in integration and testing of robotics, autonomy, aerospace, or similar complex systems
- Strong hands-on experience working with real hardware systems and field or flight testing
- Experience with SIL, HIL, and VIL environments
- Direct experience with Ardupilot and MAVLINK
- Experience with ROS
- Ability to design, build, and configure medium complexity benchtop setups
- Proficiency in Python and C++ for scripting, automation, or debugging
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex, cross-disciplinary systems (hardware, software, communications)
- Comfortable working in ambiguous environments with evolving requirements
- Strong sense of ownership, urgency, and problem-solving mindset
- U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain a SECRET clearance
- Aviation experience such as Private Pilot's License or Part 107
- CI/CD experience
- Experience with PX4 and/or cube family of hardware
- Experience with unmanned aerial systems (fixed-wing, quadrotor, or both)
- Background in autonomy, robotics, or aerospace systems
- Familiarity with flight controllers, radios, and communications systems
- Experience supporting flight test operations
- Experience contributing to automated test frameworks or infrastructure
- Active SECRET clearance
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
At Shield AI, you won't wait years to see your work reach the field. You'll build hardware and software that operates in the real world right now, in the hands of the people who depend on it. Hivemind, our AI pilot, has been flying since 2018. It has flown more than 30 platforms, including an F-16, and it now sits under a U.S. Air Force production contract for Collaborative Combat Aircraft. When you write code or shape a system here, you contribute to technology with a proven flight record and a clear production future. V-BAT flies intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions with an operational record that stretches from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific. It delivers eyes where they matter most, in the most demanding conditions on earth. The teams behind it watch their work get tested where the stakes are real. X-BAT takes its first flight this year. It's an AI-piloted fighter that needs no runway, built to operate where traditional aircraft can't. Join now and you help shape a program at its earliest, most formative stage. That's the kind of ground-floor work that defines a career. Do the most impactful work of your life, on problems that matter. Autonomy at this level asks a lot of you. You'll take on problems in perception, planning, and control that few teams anywhere are equipped to solve. You'll work across disciplines, from aerospace and robotics to machine learning and systems engineering, alongside people who hold themselves to an exacting standard and expect the same from you. Our mission is clear: protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. That purpose runs through every decision, every design review, and every deployment. It's why the work here carries a weight you can feel. Ready to join our mission? Explore our open roles and find where you fit.
Why Work With Us
Founded in 2015 by a former Navy SEAL, Shield AI builds AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft. Veterans aren't an afterthought here, they're at every level. It's why the work carries weight: AI pilots and uncrewed aircraft flying real missions, from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific, protecting service members and civilians.
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