Shield

Team Lead, Software Test & Quality Assurance

Posted 8 Hours Ago

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Melbourne, Victoria, AUS

Hybrid

Senior level

Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Robotics • Software • Defense Technology

Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.

The Role

Lead a team of software test and automation engineers supporting autonomy and aerospace products. Translate test strategy into execution, direct test automation and infrastructure architecture, and own test evidence and release recommendations. The role involves simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, perception validation, and flight testing. Responsibilities include hands-on framework design, integration troubleshooting, team development, continuous validation, stakeholder communication, and collaboration across systems engineering, quality, perception, autonomy, and flight-test teams.

Summary Generated by Built In

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and 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.

The Software Test & Quality Assurance team serves both, and ensures release of verified and assured product. As Lead Engineer, Software Test & Quality Assurance, you will lead a team of Software Test & Automation Engineers working across both Hivemind Vision and Hivemind Solutions. You will turn the Australian software test strategy into day-to-day execution, set technical direction for test automation and infrastructure, and own the test evidence and release recommendations behind every software release. The team spans simulation, Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), Vehicle-in-the-Loop (VIL), perception and imagery validation, and live flight test. This is a hands-on leadership role. You will stay technically involved in framework design, test architecture, and complex integration issues while developing the people and capability of the team. You will report to the Senior Manager, Engineering (Systems Engineering and Test), and work closely with the Systems Engineering and Quality Process Engineering teams, as well as perception, autonomy, integration, flight test, program management, and Shield AI's international engineering teams.

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent overseas qualification).
8+ years developing software test, verification, automation, validation, or quality assurance solutions for robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded, or other complex distributed systems.
2 + years leading engineers, either as a people manager or a technical lead with responsibility for planning, prioritization, and mentoring.
Demonstrated experience implementing test strategy across multiple products or programs and owning software release or acceptance recommendations.
Strong proficiency in Python for automation, testing, and data analysis, and experience architecting automated test frameworks or validation infrastructure.
Experience validating software in simulation, SIL, HIL, and/or representative hardware or flight-test environments.
Experience with CI/CD pipelines and continuous validation practices.
Experience with Linux and Windows environments and with setting up and managing test environments.
Experience with requirements and test management tools (e.g., Testrail, Cameo, DOORS, Polarion, Jira) and fault tracking systems.[J(6]
Strong understanding of software verification, regression testing, traceability, and quality assurance methodologies. · Experience working in Agile software development environments.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present test evidence and release recommendations to senior stakeholders and customers.
Ability to obtain an Australian NV1 security clearance
Ability to comply with export-control (e.g., ITAR, EAR, and the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012), security, safety, and customer-site requirements. Preferred qualifications:
Experience testing computer vision, perception, or imaging-sensor systems, including dataset-driven and metrics-based evaluation.
Experience with flight control systems such as ArduPilot or PX4.
Experience with unmanned aerial systems (fixed-wing, quadrotor, or both).
Experience testing and validating real-time embedded software systems.
Background in autonomy, robotics, or aerospace systems, including flight controllers, radios, and communications systems.
Experience producing evidence for formal technical reviews, customer acceptance, or airworthiness approval.
Familiarity with software assurance or airworthiness frameworks (e.g., DO-178C, DEF(AUST) 5679, ASDEFCON software requirements) or quality management systems (AS9100 or ISO 9001).
ISTQB accreditation (Advanced or Test Manager level highly regarded).

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.

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, colour, 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.

Skills Required

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent overseas qualification.
8+ years developing software test, verification, automation, validation, or quality assurance solutions for robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded, or complex distributed systems.
2+ years leading engineers as a people manager or technical lead, including planning, prioritization, and mentoring.
Experience implementing test strategy across multiple products or programs and owning software release or acceptance recommendations.
Strong proficiency in Python for automation, testing, and data analysis.
Experience architecting automated test frameworks or validation infrastructure.
Experience validating software in simulation, SIL, HIL, representative hardware, or flight-test environments.
Experience with CI/CD pipelines and continuous validation practices.
Experience with Linux and Windows environments and managing test environments.
Experience with requirements and test management tools and fault-tracking systems.
Strong understanding of software verification, regression testing, traceability, and quality assurance methodologies.
Experience working in Agile software development environments.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting test evidence and release recommendations.
Ability to obtain an Australian NV1 security clearance.
Ability to comply with ITAR, EAR, the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012, security, safety, and customer-site requirements.
Experience testing computer vision, perception, or imaging-sensor systems.
Experience with ArduPilot or PX4 flight control systems.
Experience with unmanned aerial systems or real-time embedded software systems.
Experience producing evidence for technical reviews, customer acceptance, or airworthiness approval.
Familiarity with DO-178C, DEF(AUST) 5679, ASDEFCON, AS9100, or ISO 9001.
Advanced ISTQB or Test Manager accreditation.

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The Company

HQ: San Diego, CA

Year Founded: 2015

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.