Test Engineer, Autonomous sUAS Systems

Battelle is seeking a Test Engineer III, Autonomous sUAS Systems to lead the planning, execution, and analysis of testing activities for advanced autonomous unmanned aerial systems supporting defense and national security missions. This position will operate from Beavercreek, OH/WPAB or Columbus, OH.

In this role, you will serve as a key contributor responsible for validating system performance, autonomy capabilities, mission effectiveness, and operational readiness of next-generation sUAS platforms. Working within multidisciplinary engineering teams, you will develop test strategies, conduct laboratory and field evaluations, analyze complex system behaviors, and support customer demonstrations and flight test operations.

The ideal candidate combines hands-on testing experience with strong systems-level thinking and a passion for bringing innovative autonomous technologies from development into mission deployment.

Responsibilities

Test Planning & Execution

• Lead development and execution of test plans, procedures, and verification activities for autonomous sUAS systems and mission payloads.
• Design and conduct laboratory, simulation, integration, environmental, and field-testing activities.
• Evaluate system performance against technical requirements, operational scenarios, and customer objectives.
• Develop traceability between requirements, test procedures, and validation results.
• Identify technical risks and recommend mitigation strategies throughout the development lifecycle.

Autonomous Systems Validation

• Validate autonomous capabilities including: GPS-denied navigation, Waypoint navigation and path planning, Obstacle and threat avoidance, Target detection and tracking, Collaborative autonomy and swarm behaviors, Dynamic mission replanning
• Assess AI/ML-enabled autonomy performance in operationally relevant test environments.
• Investigate system anomalies and lead root-cause analysis efforts.

Flight Test Operations

• Support planning, coordination, and execution of flight test events and mission demonstrations.
• Participate in flight readiness reviews, safety assessments, and mission briefings.
• Oversee collection and quality assurance of telemetry, sensor, communications, and mission data.
• Support testing activities at government ranges, customer facilities, and operational environments.

Data Analysis & Test Automation

• Analyze flight and system performance data to identify trends, deficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and maintain automated test tools, software utilities, and data analysis scripts.
• Support development of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL), and digital engineering test environments.
• Generate detailed technical reports and customer-facing test documentation.

Systems Integration & Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with software, systems, RF, cybersecurity, autonomy, and hardware engineering teams.
• Support design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and engineering assessments.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians while promoting testing best practices.
• Interface directly with government customers and program stakeholders regarding test objectives, execution, and results.

Compliance & Mission Assurance

• Ensure testing activities comply with applicable military, FAA, cybersecurity, and safety requirements.
• Maintain detailed technical documentation and configuration records.
• Support customer acceptance testing, certifications, and operational evaluations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in test engineering, systems integration, aerospace systems, robotics, autonomy, or related engineering disciplines.
• Experience developing and executing verification and validation strategies for complex systems.
• Proficiency with Python, C++, MATLAB, or similar technical computing environments.
• Experience analyzing telemetry, sensor, and performance data from fielded systems.
• Familiarity with systems engineering processes, requirements verification, and technical documentation.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel in support of testing activities and customer demonstrations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance., * Experience supporting Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, or national security programs.
• Hands-on experience with autonomous aerial systems, robotics, or distributed autonomous platforms.
• Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, ROS/ROS2, Gazebo, AirSim, or similar autonomy development environments.
• Understanding of AI/ML-enabled autonomy, computer vision, sensor fusion, and navigation systems.
• Experience conducting Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), and system integration testing.
• Knowledge of RF communications, software-defined radios, tactical networking, GPS/GNSS, and data-link architectures.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification.
• Experience supporting military flight operations, UAS ranges, or operational test activities.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD test methodologies, DoD acquisition processes, and MOSA/Open Architecture principles.
• Active Secret Security Clearance preferred; Top Secret clearance strongly desired.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex test efforts.
• Strong technical communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers and driving technical excellence.
• Strong organizational and project execution skills.
• Passion for defense innovation and emerging autonomous technologies.

Compensation Data

Battelle is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The salary range for this role is $110,000 - $140,000 per year, in addition to our comprehensive benefits package. A candidate’s salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to education, relevant work experience, skills, and certifications. Salary ranges may vary based on geographic location and market conditions.

Benefits: Live an Extraordinary Life

We care about your well-being, not just on the job. Battelle offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to help you live your best life.

• Balance life through a compressed work schedule : Most of our team follows a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off-giving you a dedicated day to accomplish things in your personal life without using vacation time.
• Enjoy enhanced work flexibility, including a hybrid arrangement: You have options for where and when you work. Our Together with Flexibility model allows you to work 60% in-office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in-office days, dependent on team and position needs.
• Take time to recharge : You get paid time off to support work-life balance and keep motivated.
• Prioritize wellness : Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.
• Better together : Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.
• Build your financial future : Build financial stability with an industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that.
• Advance your education : Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.

A Work Environment Where You Succeed

For brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and business operations, Battelle is the place to do the greatest good by solving humanity’s most pressing challenges and creating a safer, healthier and more secure world.

Battelle delivers when others can’t. We conduct research and development, manage national laboratories, design and manufacture products and deliver critical services for our clients-whether they are a multi-national corporation, a small start-up or a government agency.