Manager, Software Test & Automation (R5461)

Shield AI is hiring a Manager, Software Test & Automation (R5461) in San Diego, United States. It pays $160k-$240k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Shield AI.

Level's read on this job

Level rates this role Works on AI ●●●○: the daily work is on AI products, without building the model.
The posting mentions software testing, test automation and leadership among its tools and skills.
Level classes it as a lead role.
Shield AI has 667 other open roles on Level.

AI in this role

Lead a software test and automation team to validate autonomous flight and robotics software systems.

software-testingtest-automationleadershipverification-and-validation

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 is responsible for developing the verification, validation, and automation capabilities that enable rapid delivery of Hivemind autonomy across the Expeditionary and Emerging Operations portfolio. The team provides objective evidence of software quality, reliability, and mission readiness by developing scalable automation frameworks, repeatable validation environments, and software readiness assessments spanning Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), Vehicle-in-the-Loop (VIL), and operational test environments.

As the Software Test & Automation Manager, you will lead a multidisciplinary engineering team responsible for defining verification strategies, building automated validation capabilities, and establishing software readiness standards across a diverse portfolio that includes XBAT, VBAT, Weapons, Space, Maritime, and other emerging autonomy programs. You will partner closely with software engineering, systems engineering, platform integration, digital infrastructure, and flight test organizations to ensure autonomy capabilities are thoroughly validated and ready for operational deployment.

This role is ideal for a technical leader who enjoys building high-performing engineering teams, developing scalable automation strategies, and improving software quality through modern verification and continuous validation practices.

How we rate this

Manager, Software Test & Automation (R5461) at Shield AI rates 60 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

Manager, Software Test & Automation (R5461) is an open job at Shield AI.
Level rates this role AI Level 3 of 4: Works on AI.
The listed salary is $160k-$240k a year.
The role is based in San Diego, California.
The job was posted on July 22, 2026.
Seniority: lead.
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

Software TestingTest AutomationLeadershipVerification And Validation

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where software testing was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where test automation was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where leadership was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where verification and validation was part of your work. What did you do?
Describe a typical day in a role like this one: which parts run through AI directly?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Software Testing, Test Automation, Leadership, and Verification And Validation. 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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