Engineer II, Software Test and Automation (R6221) - New Grad

Shield AI is hiring an Engineer II, Software Test and Automation (R6221) - New Grad in Washington DC, United States. It pays $92k-$140k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Shield AI.

Level's read on this job

Works on AI ●●●○ is how Level rates this role: the daily work is on AI products, without building the model.
The posting mentions Python, C and CI/CD among its tools and skills.
Level classes it as a junior role.
Shield AI has 651 other open roles on Level.

AI in this role

Develop automated test frameworks, simulation workflows, and validation tools for AI autonomy software in robotic systems.

pythoncci-cd

computer-visiontest-automationsoftware-verificationroboticssimulation

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.

Job Description:

Shield AI's Software Test & Automation Team develops the verification, validation, and automation capabilities that enable rapid delivery of Hivemind autonomy across the Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) 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.

As a Software Test & Automation Engineer (L2), you will work alongside experienced engineers to develop automated tests, improve validation tooling, analyze software performance, and support system-level verification activities for autonomous systems. You will gain hands-on experience working with autonomy software, simulation environments, hardware-in-the-loop systems, and real-world robotic platforms while contributing directly to the tools and processes used to evaluate software quality and mission readiness.

What you'll do:

Develop Python-based automated tests, test utilities, and analysis tools supporting autonomy software validation.
Support verification and validation activities across simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, and representative system environments.
Build and improve regression, integration, functional, and performance tests with guidance from experienced engineers.
Analyze test results, identify unexpected system behavior, and assist with debugging software and integration issues.
Develop scripts and tools that reduce manual testing effort and improve the repeatability of test execution and analysis.
Support the development of software quality metrics, dashboards, test reports, and readiness assessments.
Assist with integrating automated tests into CI/CD workflows to provide rapid feedback to software developers.
Collaborate with autonomy software, systems engineering, flight test, and integration teams to understand system behavior and validation requirements.
Participate in laboratory and hardware testing of autonomous systems, sensors, flight controllers, networking equipment, and mission computers.
Identify opportunities to improve test coverage, automation, documentation, and validation workflows.

Required qualifications:

Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline; equivalent practical experience may be considered.
Python programming experience from coursework, projects, research, or student teams.
Familiarity with software development and debugging fundamentals.
Interest in robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded systems, or software testing.
Strong problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.

Preferred qualifications:

Experience with Linux, Git, or Docker.
Exposure to automated testing, unit testing, or integration testing.
Experience with sensors, flight controllers, embedded systems, or networking.
Coursework or projects in robotics, controls, autonomy, computer vision, or embedded systems

#LI-LD1 #LB
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.

How we rate this

Engineer II, Software Test and Automation (R6221) - New Grad at Shield AI rates 65 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Works on AI (AI Level 3 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Works on AI. The daily work is on AI products, without building the model.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

Engineer II, Software Test and Automation (R6221) - New Grad is an open job at Shield AI.
Level rates this role AI Level 3 of 4: Works on AI.
The listed salary is $92k-$140k a year.
The role is based in Washington, D.C..
The job was posted on October 10, 2026.
Seniority: junior.
Applications are handled by Shield AI. Apply on Shield AI

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

Computer visionTest AutomationSoftware VerificationRoboticsSimulationPythonCCI/CD

Questions you could be asked

Walk me through a computer vision problem you solved, from raw data to a deployed model.
Tell me about a project where test automation was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where software verification was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where robotics was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where simulation was part of your work. What did you do?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Computer vision, Test Automation, Software Verification, Robotics, and Simulation. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
Show where AI is part of your daily process, not a one-off project. This role expects it to be a running habit.

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