{"id":556034,"url":"https://alion.io/job/shield-ai-staff-engineer-software-test-r5836","title":"Staff Engineer, Software Test (R5836)","company":{"id":50,"name":"Shield AI","domain":"shield.ai","url":"https://alion.io/company/shield-ai","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Lever","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":73,"open_postings":83,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.867,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":65,"computed_at":"2026-10-28T05:59:10Z"}},"role":"QA","role_family":"QA","seniority":"staff","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Melbourne, Australia"],"countries":["AU"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":117000,"max_usd":267000,"period":"year","method":"global_role_cell_scaled_by_country","sample_n":214},"experience_years_min":4,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"CI/CD","optional":false},{"name":"Linux","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"Verification & Validation","optional":false},{"name":"ArduPilot","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-08T21:14:17Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-08","last_verified_at":"2026-10-28T19:24:47Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":49,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":49},"description":"Job Description:\nShield AI's Software Test & Automation Team develops the verification, validation, and automation capabilities that enable rapid delivery of Hivemind autonomy across the Expeditionary and Emerging Operations portfolio. Our mission is to provide objective evidence of software quality, reliability, and mission readiness by building scalable automated test frameworks, repeatable validation environments, and data-driven readiness assessments spanning simulation, Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), and Vehicle-in-the-Loop (VIL) environments.\nAs a Senior Software Test & Automation Engineer, you will design and develop automated test infrastructure, execute system-level verification activities, analyze software performance, and build the tooling that enables continuous validation throughout the development lifecycle. Working closely with autonomy software, systems engineering, digital infrastructure, and flight test teams, you will help ensure autonomy capabilities are validated, repeatable, and ready for operational deployment.\nWhat you'll do:\nDesign, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks, validation tooling, and test infrastructure supporting autonomy software. \nDevelop and execute verification and validation strategies across simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, and representative system environments. \nBuild automated regression, integration, functional, and performance test suites that improve software quality and deployment confidence. \nDevelop Python-based automation, test harnesses, and analysis tools that reduce manual testing effort and improve repeatability. \nAnalyze test results, identify software defects and integration issues, and support cross-functional root cause investigations. \nDevelop software quality metrics, dashboards, and readiness assessments that provide objective evidence of software maturity. \nIntegrate automated testing into CI/CD workflows to enable continuous validation and rapid developer feedback. \nCollaborate with autonomy software, systems engineering, flight test, and integration teams to define validation strategies and readiness criteria. \nImprove test infrastructure, automation coverage, and validation methodologies across the Expeditionary and Emerging Operations portfolio. \nRequired qualifications:\nBS in Computer Science, Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering or related field. \n4-7 years developing software test, verification, automation, or validation solutions for robotics, autonomy, aerospace, or other complex distributed systems. \nStrong proficiency in Python for automation, testing, and data analysis. \nExperience developing automated test frameworks, test harnesses, or validation infrastructure. \nExperience with Linux-based development environments. \nExperience validating software in simulation, SIL, HIL, and/or representative hardware environments. \nExperience debugging complex software and system integration issues. \nExperience with CI/CD pipelines and continuous validation practices. \nStrong understanding of software verification, regression testing, and quality assurance methodologies. \nPreferred qualifications:\nExperience with flight control systems such as ArduPilot or PX4. \nExperience with unmanned aerial systems (fixed-wing, quadrotor, or both) \nBackground in autonomy, robotics, or aerospace systems \nFamiliarity with flight controllers, radios, and communications systems \nEligibility\nOur mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems, and this role supports that mission directly by working with Australian Government classified material. It requires an Australian Government security clearance at [Baseline / NV1 / NV2] level.\nYou don't need to hold a clearance already, we will sponsor your clearance and support you, because mission first, people always. Australian citizenship is a mandatory requirement for this role. 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