Junior QA Engineer at AeroVironment in San Diego, CA

Junior QA Engineer Location: 7535 Metropolitan Drive, San Diego , CA Worker Type Regular Job Description Position Overview 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. ________________________________________ Key Responsibilities Testing & Validation •    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 Defect & Project Management •    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 Field Testing & Operations •    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 Agile Collaboration & Communication •    Participate actively in Agile workflow meetings, including sprint kick-off meetigns, 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 ________________________________________ Required Qualifications Education •    Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field Technical Skills •    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) Professional Experience •    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 Soft Skills & Attributes •    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 ________________________________________ Preferred Qualifications •    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 ________________________________________ Security Clearance •    U.S. Citizenship required Clearance Level No Clearance The salary range for this role is: $66,500 - $94,500 AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. ITAR Requirement: This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements. Benefits:  AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.  For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:  http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits. We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us. Principals only need apply.  NO agencies please. About AV: AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV. We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status. ITAR U.S. Citizenship required