Staff Engineer, HIL Integration; R4354

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 (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).

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The Hivemind Solutions Test department (HMS Test) is a group on a mission to build comprehensive and robust testing infrastructure that supports the development and deployment of the world’s best AI pilot and most reliable aircraft. Hivemind Test is dedicated to ensuring the highest level of quality, reliability, and performance in our Hivemind software ecosystem. This ecosystem includes software for AI behaviors, embedded systems, system integration, and more.

Our group is charged with validating and verifying our Hivemind software meets reliability standards and is operationally ready to meet mission objectives on aircraft, such as real-world jets, Shield AI’s V-BAT and beyond.

As a HIL Integration Engineer, you will be at the epicenter of integration and testing for deploying our Hivemind Software and AI Pilot on various aircraft platforms. You will be helping us build Hardware-In-The-Loop infrastructure to execute the integration and testing of SW and HW systems throughout simulation and on-ground test campaigns. Our test campaigns are hands‑on and fast paced, depending on high-fidelity simulation hardware to ensure high-quality flight software releases.

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!

• Design, build and maintain Hivemind Hardware-in-the-loop infrastructure including mechanical design, electrical integration and building fixtures with lab technicians.
• Lead sensor integration into Hivemind targeted platforms.
• Create software support utilities and automated test tools for Hardware-In-The-Loop test fixtures and simulated flight testing (Python and/or C++).
• Hands‑on testing, integration and debugging during on‑ground and in‑flight test campaigns.
• Work with Hivemind engineering to test and integrate software and hardware systems preparing for simulation milestones and flight tests.
• 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 + aircraft subsystems.
• Support on‑site flight testing that involves system configuration, running aircraft software, and data post‑analysis.
• Contribute to and execute test plans to validate Hivemind SW and HW systems.
• Drive continuous improvement in testing methodologies, tools and rapid prototyping.

• Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 5 years and a Master’s degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
• Hands‑on mechanical and electrical engineering skills.
• Proficiency in Python (or C++).
• Experience in robotics, small UAS, or related hands‑on engineering projects.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and debugging skills.
• 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 with a bias towards action.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET Clearance. US citizenship is required as only US citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

• Exposure to CAD software (i.e.. NX, Solidworks).
• Experience rapid prototyping, building and/or flying small aircraft, such as quadrotor drones, robotics or similar.
• FIRST Robotics experience.
• Experience in the robotics,…