Full-Time

Senior Software Test Engineer

Updated on 3/14/2025

Shield AI

Shield AI

501-1,000 employees

Develops AI and autonomous systems for defense

Compensation Overview

$104.9k - $157.3kAnnually

+ Bonus + Equity

Senior

San Diego, CA, USA

Onsite position in the San Diego metro area.

US Top Secret Clearance Required

Category
QA & Testing
Automation Testing
Performance Testing
Quality Assurance
Required Skills
Python
C/C++
Development Operations (DevOps)
Requirements
  • Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 4 years and a Master’s degree; or 2 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
  • Proficiency in programming languages including Python or C++.
  • Experience with autonomous systems or server applications or middleware.
  • Demonstrated experience of designing, communicating, and managing test cases, and reporting bugs.
  • Proficiency with simulation tools and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing environments.
  • Strong expertise with CI/CD pipelines.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and a proven track record of delivering high-quality software solutions.
  • Excellent communication skills, capable of collaborating effectively across various teams and presenting to customers or technical leadership.
Responsibilities
  • Become a super-user of our state-of-the-art AI software product. Learn to automate multi-agent scenarios, analyze robotic data, and validate test cases. Try using the product as a customer would and try and break it!
  • Test new features: Collaborate cross-functionally with developer teams to design test plans for new single and multi-robot autonomy algorithms, user interfaces, middleware, and server applications.
  • Enable coverage testing of product capabilities: Design and implement tests to cover all performance aspects of a product capability across all permutations of operating environments and use cases.
  • Design automation tooling & automate tests: Architect innovative automation frameworks that enhance testing efficiency and effectiveness. Automate tests to run on Software-in-the-Loop, Hardware-in-the-Loop, and Vehicle-in-the-Loop test fixtures.
  • Integrate new capabilities: Work with other integration engineers to implement test solutions on prototype robotic hardware platforms.
  • Optimize test efficiency: Determine the testing strategy (what tests, at what frequencies, etc.) for the overall product and work with DevOps/Ex teams to optimize testing design on CI.
  • Evaluate test data and automate reporting: Create analyzer code for the automated analysis of test data. Review test data, identify and root cause bugs, report to developers, and create automated reporting tools for test performance and bug attributes.
  • Check off requirements, help determine metrics: Work with product and system engineers to ensure test coverage of all product and engineering requirements. Assist in developing tooling to demonstrate full requirement coverage and reporting.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Desired Qualifications
  • Demonstrated experience building complex systems with a strong understanding of software architecture and design principles.
  • Experience with hardware or embedded systems.
  • Expert knowledge of Python.
  • Experience with ROS.
  • Experience with white box testing.
  • Familiarity with networking, operating-systems, and radio communications.
  • Experience designing automated tooling for testing for GUI applications.
  • Experience designing automated tooling for testing server applications.

Shield AI specializes in creating artificial intelligence and autonomous systems specifically for the defense industry. The company develops AI-powered systems, including autonomous drones, that assist military operations, especially in environments where GPS and communication are unavailable. This technology allows for safer and more efficient defense operations. Shield AI primarily serves government and defense clients, including various branches of the U.S. military, and generates revenue through contracts with these organizations. What sets Shield AI apart from its competitors is its focus on advanced AI solutions tailored for challenging operational scenarios, as well as its strategic acquisitions, like Martin UAV, which enhance its capabilities. The company's goal is to protect lives by providing innovative technology that improves military operational safety and effectiveness.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

Late Stage VC

Total Funding

$1.3B

Headquarters

San Diego, California

Founded

2015

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • $240 million funding round boosts Shield AI's Hivemind platform deployment and market reach.
  • Partnerships with Booz Allen and L3Harris enhance Shield AI's defense technology offerings.
  • Gary Steele's appointment as CEO positions Shield AI for accelerated growth and scaling.

What critics are saying

  • Emerging AI defense startups could threaten Shield AI's market position with competitive solutions.
  • Geopolitical tensions may impact Shield AI's international operations and partnerships.
  • Reliance on large government contracts poses risks if funding priorities shift.

What makes Shield AI unique

  • Shield AI's Hivemind is the first autonomous AI Pilot deployed in combat since 2018.
  • The company focuses on AI systems for defense, enhancing military safety and efficiency.
  • Strategic acquisitions like Martin UAV expand Shield AI's capabilities in autonomous systems.

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Benefits

Medical Insurance Coverage

Long Term Disability Insurance

Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA

Employee Assistance Program

Subsidized Gym Membership

Pet Insurance

Competitive Compensation

Retirement Services

Life Insurance

Parental Leave

Bereavement Support

Flexible Work Hours

PTO

Paid Holidays

Commuter Benefits

Relaxed Dress Code

Yearly Swag Items

Unlimited Snacks

Bottomless Beverages

Annual Celebrations

Work From Home Benefits

Standing Desks and Widescreen Monitors

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

1%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

0%
Yahoo Finance
Mar 18th, 2025
Booz Allen and Shield AI Partnership Brings New Autonomous Airborne Solutions to U.S. Military

The partnership will combine Booz Allen's deep mission engineering expertise with Shield AI's Hivemind Enterprise platform, initially focused on building solutions for the Department of Defense.

Chosun Ilbo
Mar 13th, 2025
Hanwha Asset Management invests in US defense startup Shield AI's growth

Earlier, Shield AI announced on the 6th that it secured $240 million in funding from strategic investor Hanwha Aerospace and existing investors such as Andreessen Horowitz.

PR Newswire
Mar 12th, 2025
Shield Ai Appoints Gary Steele As Ceo, Ryan Tseng Named President

SAN DIEGO, March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Shield AI, the deep-tech company building state-of-the-art autonomy software and defense aircraft, today announced a leadership transition designed to accelerate the company's next phase of growth. Gary Steele, a seasoned technology executive with over 30 years of experience scaling global technology enterprises, will join Shield AI as CEO on May 13, 2025. Steele will also join Shield AI's Board of Directors, bringing a proven track record of driving high-growth companies toward operational scale and market leadership.After a decade as Co-Founder and CEO, Ryan Tseng has made the decision to step down from his role and transition into Co-Founder and President, where he will focus on driving senior level engagement with the US and foreign policy and defense leaders, as well as with aerospace and defense companies. Under Ryan's leadership, Shield AI has achieved extraordinary growth, expanding to more than 900 teammates, raising over $1 billion in funding, and becoming the fourth multi-billion-dollar defense technology company."Among my most important responsibilities has always been ensuring Shield AI is led by the absolute best person for the role. Exceptional leaders prioritize mission, embody honor, are service-driven, intellectually rigorous, tireless in effort, wise in judgment, and introspective," said Ryan Tseng. "Over the past year, with the demand for autonomy solutions at scale and the growth of our aircraft business, it became unmistakably clear that Shield AI required a leader with not only deep software expertise but proven experience scaling technology organizations

GovCon Wire
Mar 7th, 2025
Shield AI Closes $240M Funding Round

Learn more about the $240 million F-1 strategic financing round closed by Shield AI to help expand the deployment of its Hivemind Enterprise AI-powered autonomy software suite.

KED Global
Mar 7th, 2025
Hanwha Aerospace, L3Harris anchor Shield AI's $240 mn funding

Industrial observers say Shield AI's software could be integrated into Hanwha's future unmanned aircraft platforms.