Junior QA Engineer

AeroVironment•San Diego, CA

1d•$66,500 - $94,500•Onsite

About The Position

AV's Titan Division is seeking a T1 Software Quality Assurance Engineer to join the Software QA team. This entry-level position will play a critical role in ensuring the quality and reliability of Titan's Counter-UAS (C-UAS) drone detection capabilities through comprehensive testing, validation, and continuous improvement processes. The ideal candidate will work closely with other members of the QA team as well as software development, AI/ML, and field operations teams to design and execute test plans, perform regression testing, conduct field testing activities, and ensure mission-critical systems meet the highest standards of quality and performance.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field
Strong knowledge of software QA methodologies, tools, and testing processes
Proficiency with Jira for bug tracking, defect management, and project workflow
Proficiency with command-line interface, particularly Linux/Ubuntu
Experience writing clear and comprehensive test plans, test cases, and acceptance criteria
Solid understanding of both software and hardware systems
Knowledge of scripting languages (Python preferred)
Familiarity with bug tracking tools and version control systems (Git/GitHub)
Experience with manual and/or automated testing
Understanding of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Agile workflows
Hands-on experience with test validation, verification, and bug tracking
Experience participating in Agile methodologies
Strong problem-solving and debugging capabilities
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in cross-functional teams
Willingness to conduct outdoor field testing in various weather conditions
Detail-oriented with a commitment to quality and accuracy
Comfortable working with diverse teams at a fast-paced rate
Adaptable in uncertain and dynamic environments
U.S. Citizenship required

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with defense industry software QA testing
Hands-on experience with automated testing tools (e.g., Playwright, Python scripts, etc.)
Familiarity with API testing tools (e.g., Postman)
Knowledge of UI/UX testing and Chrome DevTools
Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments on mission-critical or defense systems
Exposure to AI/ML model testing or validation

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and execute detailed test plans and test cases for Titan C-UAS software features and releases
Define test cases, write acceptance criteria, and benchmark performance metrics for software features
Conduct manual and automated testing activities including functional, regression, integration, and user acceptance testing (UAT)
Perform end-of-cycle release testing to validate software quality before deployment
Execute white-box and black-box testing methodologies to ensure comprehensive coverage
Use Jira to report, track, and update bugs, defects, and features throughout the development lifecycle
Document and manage test cases, acceptance criteria, and performance benchmarks in Jira
Write clear, concise technical documentation and standard operating procedures
Ensure thorough regression testing when bugs are resolved
Conduct field testing activities on a rotating schedule at outdoor locations, working closely with the field operation team to validate system performance in real-world conditions
Swap field testing duties with another QA team member to maintain consistent coverage
Operate and troubleshoot hardware during field tests to ensure end-to-end quality control
Prepare detailed field test reports with data, observations, and actionable insights for stakeholders
Participate actively in Agile workflow meetings, including sprint kick-off meetings, backlog grooming sessions, daily check-ins, and sprint retrospectives
Present QA findings, test results, and sprint goals during team meetings to stakeholders
Collaborate with software developers, AI/ML engineers, and the field operations team to identify system requirements, troubleshoot issues, and align testing priorities
Work with AI/ML team to validate and test detection classifiers
Work with business development teams to ensure customer satisfaction and gather real-world use-case understanding