Role details
Job description
This is a hands-on leadership role that combines people management with technical execution across software, hardware, aircraft systems, and flight operations. The ideal candidate has strong software and systems-integration experience, develops high-performing engineers, and can lead complex work in fast-paced field environments.
This role will primarily support operations in the Kyiv region, with occasional travel to other locations within Ukraine.
What You'll Do
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Autonomy Software Integration & Test Engineers.
- Set technical priorities, assign resources, manage schedules, and ensure the team delivers against operational requirements.
- Guide the development and integration of autonomy software across fixed-wing, multirotor, and other unmanned systems.
- Provide technical direction for software bring-up, system configuration, troubleshooting, and mission readiness.
- Oversee simulation, SIL, HIL, VIL, ground-test, and live flight-test activities.
- Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis across software, onboard compute, networking, radios, sensors, flight controllers, and mission systems.
- Coordinate engineering support for demonstrations and operational test events, including pre-flight preparation and post-flight analysis.
- Partner with autonomy, systems, hardware, flight-test, and operational teams to integrate and validate new capabilities.
- Establish effective test procedures, integration workflows, documentation, and deployment-readiness standards.
- Remain technically engaged and contribute directly to development, integration, and field troubleshooting when needed.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- 5+ years of experience developing, integrating, or testing software for robotics, autonomy, aerospace, embedded systems, or a related field.
- Previous experience managing or leading engineering teams.
- Strong software-engineering experience in C++ and Python.
- Experience with Linux-based systems and hands-on hardware/software integration.
- Experience supporting field testing, flight testing, demonstrations, or operational exercises.
- Familiarity with MAVLink, PX4, ArduPilot, QGroundControl, or related unmanned-systems technologies.
- Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to operate independently in dynamic environments.
- Ability to travel within Ukraine as required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leading teams supporting autonomous aircraft or unmanned systems.
- Experience with SIL, HIL, VIL, simulation, or flight-test environments.
- Familiarity with ROS, DDS, embedded systems, or real-time systems.
- Experience with flight controllers, avionics, RF communications, datalinks, or networking systems.
- Background in defense, robotics, aerospace, or autonomous systems.
- Ukrainian and English language proficiency.
Role context
This Software Integration & Test Manager role at Shield AI sits in the other track within defense and autonomy. The position is tied to Kyiv, Ukraine and is posted within the last 24 days, which signals active hiring intent rather than archived demand. Compensation is not disclosed in the source listing, so candidates should verify range details directly with the employer. Combined with the live company and role links on this page, this listing gives candidates a direct path to compare equivalent openings by employer, market, and role focus.
Ready for the next step?
Apply directly with Shield Ai
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Location
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Kyiv, Ukraine
Location
Kyiv, Ukraine
Approximate role location based on the employer listing.
Kyiv, Ukraine
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