Test engineers with hands-on systems integration experience and a background in maritime autonomous systems will find this field testing-focused role in a fast-growing defense tech environment.
Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.
Original posting from Havocai via Ashby
ABOUT US:
Havoc is a leader in all-domain collaborative autonomy. Its software-defined hardware approach powers military and commercial-grade autonomous systems across sea, air, and land to sense, decide, and act together in complex and contested environments. Havoc connects assets, enabling them to share information, adapt in real time, and continue operating even when communications are disrupted or denied. Havoc optimizes mission performance and minimizes human risk.
Havoc was founded in 2024 and headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. Learn more at Havoc: All-Domain Collaborative Autonomy http://havocai.com/ .
ABOUT THE ROLE
HavocAI is seeking a Test Engineer to support the development, integration, and validation of our Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) platforms and autonomy systems.
This is a highly hands-on role for an engineer who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and enjoys working at the intersection of hardware, software, autonomy, and field operations. You will work directly with engineering and mission operations teams to plan, execute, and analyze testing across mechanical systems, electrical systems, autonomy capabilities, sensors, communications, and embedded software.
Testing at HavocAI extends well beyond the lab. You’ll help take systems from initial integration through dockside testing, sea trials, and real-world deployments—identifying issues, troubleshooting failures, validating performance, and providing actionable feedback to engineering teams.
Success in this role requires strong technical judgment, a hands-on mindset, attention to detail, and the ability to move quickly as systems, priorities, and test requirements evolve.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
TEST PLANNING & EXECUTION
- Develop, document, and execute test plans and procedures for mechanical, electrical, software, and integrated systems across multiple ASV platforms.
- Define test objectives, success criteria, configurations, and data requirements in partnership with engineering teams.
- Support testing throughout the development lifecycle, from component and subsystem validation through full-system and operational testing.
- Identify test gaps and develop new approaches to improve system validation and overall test coverage.
AUTONOMY & SYSTEMS VALIDATION
- Test and evaluate autonomy algorithms, control systems, sensors, and integrated vehicle behaviors in real-world maritime environments.
- Validate system performance across navigation, communications, propulsion, perception, and other onboard systems.
- Partner with autonomy, hardware, software, and networking teams to integrate and validate new capabilities, payloads, and system updates.
- Verify that integrated systems perform safely, reliably, and consistently under expected operating conditions.
TROUBLESHOOTING & ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS
- Diagnose issues across hardware, software, networking, communications, and mechanical system interfaces.
- Work directly with engineering teams to reproduce failures, isolate root causes, and validate corrective actions.
- Troubleshoot issues in real time during test events and field operations where timelines and conditions can change quickly.
- Document failures, findings, corrective actions, and recommendations to improve future system performance.
DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS
- Capture and analyze telemetry, sensor, system, and mission data to evaluate vehicle performance.
- Translate test data into clear conclusions and actionable feedback for engineering teams.
- Develop test reports that clearly communicate results, failures, risks, and recommended next steps.
- Support continuous improvement by identifying trends and recurring issues across test events.
FIELD TESTING & OPERATIONS
- Deploy to coastal, offshore, and other maritime environments to support ASV testing, demonstrations, and field operations.
- Operate and support ASVs during dockside testing, sea trials, and open-water test events.
- Prepare vehicles, test equipment, sensors, tools, and supporting systems for field operations.
- Maintain high standards for safety, configuration control, test discipline, and operational readiness during field activities.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of experience in test engineering, systems integration, field testing, or a related engineering discipline involving complex systems.
- Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, software, and embedded systems and how they interact within robotic or autonomous platforms.
- Hands-on experience troubleshooting complex integrated systems.
- Experience with embedded systems, networking, and communication protocols such as CAN, UDP, and TCP/IP.
- Experience testing or operating autonomous, robotic, or remotely operated systems.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to use test data to identify problems, evaluate performance, and drive technical decisions.
- Ability to read and interpret technical documentation, system diagrams, test procedures, and engineering requirements.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including clear technical documentation and test reporting.
- Comfortable working independently and making sound technical decisions in fast-moving field environments.
- Willingness to work in marine, coastal, and offshore environments.
- Ability to travel up to 50%, including multi-day field and test deployments.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Security Clearance.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Ocean Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience testing Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs), Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or other autonomous robotic platforms.
- Familiarity with autonomy frameworks such as ROS2, MOOS-IvP, PX4, or similar technologies.
- Experience integrating and testing navigation, perception, communications, or other sensor and payload systems.
- Proficiency working in Linux environments.
- Experience developing test automation, scripts, or other tools that improve test efficiency and repeatability.
- Experience with small boat operations, maritime safety procedures, sea trials, or operational field deployments.
- Previous experience supporting defense, aerospace, maritime, or other mission-critical systems.
LOCATION & TRAVEL
- This is a hands-on role requiring regular participation in vehicle integration and field testing.
- Up to 50% travel based on testing, program, and deployment requirements.
- Travel may include customer locations, test ranges, coastal facilities, and other maritime environments.
- Field testing may require non-standard hours based on weather, vessel availability, test schedules, and operational requirements.
BENEFITS:
- 100% Employer paid Health, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your families
- Life Insurance (Employer Paid)
- Ability to participate in the companies 401k program (Matching)
- Unlimited PTO policy with an enforced 2 week minimum
- Equity Package
- Work / Home Office Stipend
- Global Entry
- 16 Week Paid Parental Leave
- Monthly Health and Wellness Stipend
OUR VALUES:
- Innovation: We are driven to break new ground. Every day presents an opportunity to challenge the status quo, think boldly, and deliver advanced solutions that transform the future of defense technology.
- Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, and trust in all our actions and partnerships.
- Mission-Driven: We are focused on achieving impactful outcomes that align with our core mission—protecting lives through innovation.
- Forward-Leaning: We continuously seek out new opportunities and remain at the forefront of technological advancements. We embrace change and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and creativity.
- Ownership of All Tasks: At HavocAI, no problem is too complex or too trivial. We believe that greatness comes from tackling the hardest challenges, but also in handling the smallest, sometimes thankless, tasks with the same level of commitment and care.
- Servant Leadership: We lead by serving others, whether it’s supporting our employees, partners, or the broader community. Empowering those around us is key to achieving long-term success and making a lasting impact.
HavocAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
Source: Havocai careers (Ashby)