Software Engineer in Test (AU)

Work with cutting edge AI technology, making the world a safer and more secure place. DroneShield (ASX:DRO) offers an opportunity to solve some of world’s most challenging technical problems in the rapidly growing counter-drone sector.

Our customers operate in some of the most challenging and high-stakes environments in the world, including military organisations, government agencies, airports, critical infrastructure operators, and law enforcement. Protecting airspace in these settings requires technology that performs under pressure and teams that understand what’s at stake. At DroneShield, employees work at the leading edge of counter-drone innovation, helping to address real-world security challenges as drone threats continue to evolve globally.

With one of the largest listed defence company market capitalisations in Australia, now part of the ASX200 index, DroneShield is experiencing a period of hypergrowth. Revenue has surged from A$57 million in 2024 to over A$217 million in 2025, representing growth of more than 400% year-on-year, with record profitability and cashflow. The total addressable global market for counter-drone is assessed at approximately $100 billion, and is currently at the nascent stage with much of the growth still to come, with DroneShield well positioned as a global market leader, and the only public listed pure-play business in this sector.

The company has grown from 11 employees in 2017 to over 450 staff globally today, and is on track to reach around 550 by the end of 2026. This expansion includes investment of over A$50 million annually in R&D, a global pipeline exceeding A$2.5 billion, and continuous scaling of production capacity to meet accelerating demand.

The role is based at DroneShield’s central Sydney headquarters. Overseas on-the-ground presence includes Virginia (USA), Netherlands, Denmark, Mexico and Dubai, as well as distributors in over 70 countries worldwide.

About the role

DroneShield is seeking a hands-on Software Engineer in Test with experience in software system verification and validation to join our Sydney team. You will play a key role in expanding and improving test frameworks, automation, and V&V processes on a dedicated defence project. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who can execute and deliver on V&V activities while collaborating across a multidisciplinary team.

This role involves hands-on testing, automation development, and collaborating with software, algorithms and systems engineers to ensure rigorous verification and validation of a system against specified performance and reliability criteria. You will also be expected to contribute to continuous improvements and project deliverables.

Responsibilities, Duties and Expectations

• Develop and maintain automated tests within existing CI/CD pipelines.
• Design test plans and develop test cases for both back-end and UI features.
• Identify, document, and track defects through to resolution.
• Collaborate closely with the project team to clarify requirements and improve test coverage.
• Perform regression, integration, and system testing activities.
• Contribute to improving test coverage, reliability, and efficiency.
• Assist in maintaining traceability between requirements, test cases, and releases.
• Participate in release verification and quality reporting activities.
• Measure automation coverage, benchmark validation, and release testing.
• Contribute to V&V process improvements.
• Support user acceptance, system integration, and performance testing activities.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

• 3+ years in Software Testing, or Software Verification & Validation.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Experience with Linux environments and bash scripting.
• Experience testing real-time or hardware-integrated systems is desirable.
• Strong Python skills with experience using pytest, Go Test, GTest/GMock, Playwright, Selenium, or similar frameworks.
• Familiarity with JIRA, Confluence, and CI/CD pipelines (preferably GitLab).
• Good communicator and collaborator across cross-functional teams.
• Hands-on, detail-oriented approach with a strong focus on product quality and delivery.
• Good written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate both the big picture and technical details.

Desirable Attributes

• Experience with simulation, mocking, non-functional, and performance testing.
• Exposure to testing AI/ML models, non-deterministic systems, sensor integrated products, and/or sensor fusion systems.
• Understanding of performance benchmarking and test metrics.
• Familiarity with test management tools such as Xray
• Passion for test automation coverage and QA processes.
• Experience working in cross-functional engineering teams.
• Understanding of agile principles is preferred.

Essential Criteria

• Australian Citizen (sorry, residency is NOT sufficient)
• Able to successfully obtain/maintain a minimum NV1 Security Clearance (ie: 10 yrs traceable personal history).

Note for recruitment agencies: We do not accept unsolicited candidates from external recruiters unless specifically instructed.