Introduction to Shield AI
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company whose mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. In pursuit of this mission, Shield AI is building the world's best AI pilot. Its AI pilot, Hivemind, has flown a fighter jet (F-16), a vertical takeoff and landing drone (V-BAT), and a quadcopter (Nova). The company has offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington DC and abroad. Shield AI's products and people are currently in the field actively supporting operations with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. allies.
Job Description:
Are you a passionate and innovative engineer looking to help develop state-of-the-art AI and robotics products? Are you eager to make a positive difference in the world? Do you want to work alongside mission driven and values focused teammates? Shield AI is just the place for you!
The Hivemind Test department (HMT) is a group of teams on mission to build a complete and robust testing infrastructure that supports the development and integration of the world's best AI pilot, in multiple forms, on various vehicles. Hivemind Test is dedicated to ensuring the highest level of quality, reliability, and performance in our Hivemind product ecosystem. This ecosystem includes software systems for autonomy behaviors, ground-control systems, multi-network communications, operating systems, embedded devices, and more. Our group is charged with validating and verifying the entire Hivemind software ecosystem meets reliability standards and is operationally ready to meet mission objectives. This is achieved via a cross-functional team, with skills ranging from autonomy system engineering, robotics integration, software development, test engineering, and quality-assurance.
The Platform Automation Engineering (PAE) function within HMT is focused on software design, robotics integration, and test automation. With the primary intention to build a robust and innovative test infrastructure to scale our volume-of-testing and enable cutting-edge test capabilities. The team is responsible for ensuring Hivemind testing is reliable, automated, and innovative. Working closely with functions across Hivemind, V-BAT, and third-parties, the PAE team ensures a efficient and reliable processes from product-design to product-manufacturing.
We are seeking an expert Software Engineer that is motivated to join PAE on their mission, someone who has experience designing and implementing innovative automation solutions for robotics integration or aircraft software development. This engineer will play a critical role in designing software applications/systems, integrating simulation software with real hardware, and driving high-quality software engineering standards across Hivemind Test. Ideally, we find a technical-expert, passionate about robotics, automation, and clean architecture testing. Someone who is not afraid to take charge, make-decisions, and do the hard-work to make things happen.
What you'll do:

• Design and implement robust software solutions for test automation and robotics integration.
• Develop software that interfaces with a variety of hardware components, embedded systems, and external APIs.
• Drive the creation of innovative automation frameworks that enhance testing efficiency and effectiveness.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand testing needs and develop scalable automation solutions.
• Integrate and validate simulation software with real-world hardware setups.
• Optimize the performance and reliability of the test infrastructure, ensuring realistic test environments.
• Champion high-quality software engineering standards, including clean architecture, code review processes, and documentation.
• Work closely with other HMT functions and external parties to align on testing strategies and methodologies.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior team members.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends in automation, robotics, and software testing. Evangelize technologies and best practices.
• Work with cross functional teams to design and build user-facing solutions to automate production processes (e.g. configuration, calibration, testing, etc.)
• Work with our Hivemind teams to integrate AI and embedded systems; build developer facing utilities which increase capability and efficiency in product development.
• Work with our test engineers to develop automated testing suites (e.g. hardware in the loop, regression testing, performance benchmarking) by leveraging PAE's core software and utilities.
• Work with our DevOps teams to build and maintain CI pipelines to build and release PAE products and enable continuous integration testing of Hivemind products.

Projects that you might work on:

• Develop a proof-of-concept system to perform for multi-level, CI-driven (automated) integration testing pipelines that gate software releases; leveraging SIL, HIL, and VIL test systems to run regression test suites.
• Design software applications for managing test asset configurations and executing integrated test suites in lab environments.
• Work with our Hivemind teams to integrate AI and embedded systems; build developer facing utilities which increase capability and efficiency in product development.
• Design test interfaces for sensors/payload systems, integrate them into HIL or simulation test systems.
• Lead automation efforts for next generation of teaming aircraft and their applications.

Required qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a bachelor's degree; or 6 years and a master's degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
• Bachelor's or master's degree in CS, Computer Eng., Robotics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in software engineering, with a focus on test automation and/or robotics integration.
• Proficiency in programming languages relevant to automation and robotics (e.g., Python, C , ROS).
• Demonstrated experience in developing complex software systems, with a strong understanding of software architecture and design principles.
• Experience in integrating software with hardware components and dealing with real-time systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proven track record of delivering high-quality software solutions.
• Strong fundamentals in professional software engineering and product development practices
• Excellent communication skills, capable of collaborating effectively across various teams and presenting to customers or technical leadership.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience in aerospace, automotive, or AI/robotics industries: exhibiting ability to work with complex systems and adhere to stringent technical standards and/or regulations.
• Proficiency with simulation tools and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing environments.
• Strong expertise with CI/CD pipelines and version control systems like Git.
• Familiarity with networking, operating-systems, and radio communications.

$148,458 - $222,688 a year
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Total package details:
Regular employee positions: Salary within range listed above Bonus Benefits Equity
Temporary employee positions: Hourly within range listed above temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
*Interns/Military Fellows/Part-time not eligible for bonus, benefits or equity
Actual 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.
If you're interested in being part of our team, apply now!
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.