2026 Co-Op Program – Hardware Test Engineering

About Shield AI

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company dedicated to protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its product portfolio includes the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With a global footprint spanning the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai and follow them on social media (LinkedIn, X, Instagram, YouTube).

Job Description: Co-Op Program Overview

The 2026 Co-Op program offers an exceptional opportunity for rising 2026 graduates to gain profound, practical experience within a mission-driven and innovative engineering environment. This program is a paid, full-time position, spanning multiple months during the academic year, designed for extended immersion in real-world hardware development and testing.

As a Co-Op on our Hardware Test Engineering team, you will have the chance to make meaningful contributions across Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Software Engineering disciplines. You will engage in cross-functional collaboration, gain exposure to cutting-edge aerospace technology, and play a role in building and maintaining systems crucial for the reliable testing of our hardware products. Your work will directly impact critical test infrastructure and may pave the way for future full-time opportunities post-graduation.

The ideal start date is January 2026, with a flexible end date (approximately ~6 months).

What You’ll Do:

• Develop automated test scripts and frameworks in Python.
• Build and maintain test cases for PCBAs (Printed Circuit Board Assemblies), electrical fixtures, and system-level validation.
• Implement data pipelines and visualize results using Grafana dashboards.
• Collaborate with Mechanical Engineering (ME) and Electrical Engineering (EE) interns to integrate automation into test stands.
• Analyze large volumes of test data to enhance test coverage and reliability.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• You are an undergraduate, graduate, or PhD student expected to graduate in December 2025 or Spring 2026.
• Pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field.
• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals relevant to your discipline.
• Experience with hands-on technical work in a lab, production, or project setting.
• Demonstrated history of taking ownership of projects and delivering results.
• Record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience writing Python test scripts.
• Familiarity with Grafana or other data visualization tools.
• Knowledge of databases and test data pipelines.
• Experience interfacing with hardware APIs, drivers, or lab automation tools.
• Demonstrated adaptability, agility, and ability to innovate under pressure to meet dynamic project demands and drive successful outcomes.

Compensation:

• Rising Bachelor’s graduate: $40/hour
• Rising Master’s graduate: $45/hour
• Rising PhD graduate: $56/hour

Additional Benefits:

• Housing stipend provided for those who qualify.
• This role may also be eligible for certain benefits like PTO, 401k, healthcare, etc. (#intern)

Employee Offer Package Breakdown:

• Full-time regular employee offer package: Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
• Temporary employee offer package: Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.