Test Automation Engineer

Job Title: Test Automation Engineer - Autonomous Aircraft Systems
Job Description
This Test Automation Engineer role supports the development, integration, and validation of advanced autonomous aircraft technology in collaboration with a leading defense autonomy organization. You will design and maintain automated test frameworks, build CI/CD-enabled validation workflows, and support software integration activities for complex unmanned aircraft systems. Working closely with software, systems, integration, and test engineers, you will help improve software quality, accelerate release cycles, and ensure the reliability of flight-critical and autonomy-related systems.
Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks for complex software systems supporting autonomous and unmanned aircraft applications.
• Develop and implement automated regression, integration, and system-level test solutions to validate software functionality and performance.
• Build, configure, and support automated test execution pipelines within CI/CD environments to streamline validation workflows.
• Create and maintain tooling for test data collection, analysis, reporting, and validation to provide clear visibility into system behavior and test results.
• Support software integration, validation, and release readiness activities across highly integrated aerospace and defense systems.
• Troubleshoot software, hardware, network, and system integration issues across distributed environments, identifying root causes and driving resolution.
• Collaborate closely with Software, Systems, Integration, and Test Engineering teams throughout the development lifecycle to define test strategies and improve test coverage.
• Support testing activities in Linux-based development and test environments, including scripting, automation, and environment configuration.
• Maintain and enhance automated verification capabilities for autonomy and unmanned aircraft applications, including regression suites and integration tests.
• Support configuration management and software version control practices using Git, ensuring robust branching, merging, and release workflows.
• Participate in onsite integration and test activities as required, contributing to system bring-up, test execution, and issue triage.
• Contribute to system testing and network validation for distributed systems, ensuring robust communication and data flows.
• Support software qualification and release readiness efforts by providing automated test evidence, reports, and validation artifacts.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 3-7+ years of software test automation experience.
• At least 3 years of hands-on proficiency with Python, with the ability to operate at a strong intermediate level or above.
• Minimum 3 years of Bash/Shell scripting experience for automation and tooling in Linux environments.
• At least 3 years of experience developing and maintaining automated regression test frameworks.
• At least 3 years of experience developing and maintaining integration test tooling.
• At least 3 years of experience building and maintaining automated test execution pipelines.
• At least 3 years of experience creating and maintaining test data collection and reporting utilities.
• At least 3 years of experience working in Linux-based development and test environments.
• At least 3 years of experience integrating automated testing into CI/CD workflows.
• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills for software, hardware, network, and integration issues across distributed systems.
• At least 3 years of experience supporting version control and software configuration management workflows using Git.
• At least 3 years of experience within the aerospace and defense industry.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional engineering teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting autonomous systems, unmanned aircraft, robotics, aerospace, or defense software platforms.
• Experience automating Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL/HITL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL/SITL) test environments.
• Familiarity with telemetry analysis, mission data validation, and flight log review.
• Experience supporting release readiness and software qualification activities, including evidence generation and documentation.
• Experience with distributed systems testing and network validation.
• Experience supporting embedded software or flight-critical systems.
• Experience working on highly integrated aerospace or defense programs.
• Interest in advanced autonomy, unmanned aviation technology, and first-of-type aircraft development.

Work Environment
This is a hybrid role supporting a cutting-edge autonomous aircraft program. The first two weeks of employment will be onsite in Frisco, Texas, followed by two weeks working remotely from your home location. After this initial period, the role will continue in a hybrid or remote capacity aligned with program needs, with periodic onsite integration and test activities. Leadership and key stakeholders are based in Arizona and will be onsite at least once a month. Travel associated with program work will be supported with per diem and covered travel expenses for the duration of the program, which is expected to be at least 12 months. You will work in a highly collaborative, engineering-focused environment that emphasizes modern tooling such as Python, Bash/Shell scripting, Linux, CI/CD pipelines, Git-based configuration management, and automated test frameworks. The culture values technical excellence, close cross-functional collaboration, and direct impact on system development, integration, and mission success, while providing exposure to advanced autonomy, flight-critical systems, and next-generation unmanned aviation technology.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Frisco, TX.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $110000.00 - $150000.00/yr.
- If the candidates ask for it I will try and get that back from the client.
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Frisco,TX.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 10, 2026.
About Actalent


Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.


The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.


If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.



San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.



Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.



Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.