Senior Staff Engineer, Systems Test (R3896)
Company: Shield AI
Location: Washington
Posted on: February 17, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Description Job Description 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. For
more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on
LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. Job Description: As a Hivemind
Solutions Systems Test Engineer, you will be at the epicenter of
integration and testing for deploying our Hivemind Software and AI
Pilot on 3rd Party Platforms. You will be planning and executing
the integration and testing of SW and HW systems throughout the
Software Development Life Cycle, preparing them for simulation
demonstrations and on-ground, in-flight, or sea trial test
campaigns. Our test campaigns are hands-on and fast paced, with
lots of planning, documentation, communication, coordination,
manual testing, scripted testing, test reviewing, debugging, and
system verification. Your efforts will be rewarded with successful
flight test events and your contributions will play a key role in
developing an AI autopilot, enabling intelligent aircraft, historic
aviation firsts and fulfilling our mission to protect service
members and civilians the world over! What you'll do: Work with
Hivemind and Hivemind Solutions engineering to test and integrate
software and hardware systems preparing for simulation milestones
and flight tests. Support on-site flight testing that involves
system configuration, running aircraft software, and data
post-analysis. Hands-on debugging during on-ground and in-flight
test and/or sea trial campaigns. Write Python code to test complex
Hivemind aircraft SW and HW systems (with SW emphasis). Create SW
based tools to improve flight testing and troubleshooting (Python
and/or C++). Become a subject-matter-expert for running Hivemind
tests on our Hardware-In-The-Loop and Vehicle-In-The-Loop systems.
Run simulated flight tests to validate Hivemind platform
subsystems. Contribute to software utilities and automated test
suites for Hardware-In-The-Loop infrastructure. Contribute to and
execute test plans to validate Hivemind SW and HW systems. Create
test team data Dashboards to provide high-level results visibility
and data analysis. Review artifacts related to simulated and real
flight test data for any anomalous behavior Identify, analyze, and
document software defects, issues, and inconsistencies in software
behavior. Drive continuous improvement in testing methodologies,
tools, and processes Required qualifications: Typically requires a
minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree;
or 9 years and a Master’s degree; or 7 years with a PhD; or
equivalent work experience. Proficiency in Python. Experience in
robotics, small UAS, USV, UUV, or related hands-on engineering
projects. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and debugging skills
. Passionate about intelligent 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 building unmanned systems,
such as quadrotor drones or similar. Proficiency in Python and C++.
FIRST Robotics experience. Software management tools (Git,
AzureDevOps/Jira, Artifactory). Experience in the aerospace or
defense industries, working with complex systems and adhering to
stringent standards and regulations. Active SECRET clearance LI-LD1
LE Full-time regular employee offer package: Pay within range
listed Bonus Benefits Equity Temporary employee offer package: Pay
within range listed above temporary benefits package (applicable
after 60 days of employment) 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. Military fellows and part-time employees
are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent
acquisition representative for more information. 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, color, 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. We may use
artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring
process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or
assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do
not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately
made by humans. If you would like more information about how your
data is processed, please contact us.
Keywords: Shield AI, Richmond , Senior Staff Engineer, Systems Test (R3896), Engineering , Washington, Virginia
