---
title: 'Test Engineer at Shift5'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/test-engineer-shift5-rosslyn-c67hm7s3g91p'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-13'
---

# Test Engineer at Shift5

- **Company:** Shift5
- **Location:** Rosslyn, VA
- **Posted:** 2026-09-23
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-13
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/shift5/jobs/6205408004

## Job description

## About Shift5

Shift5 is the observability platform for onboard operational technology (OT). We’re a rapidly growing scale-up that specializes in cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, and compliance for OT systems across defense, aerospace, and rail. We are a collaborative, passionate, and driven cadre of dynamic, multidisciplinary experts focused on helping our customers’ fleets run smarter and safer by accessing and democratizing the volumes of onboard OT data generated by transportation, freight fleets, defense fleets, and other critical infrastructure. Come join us.

Shift5 is seeking a Test Engineer to join our growing team. In this role, you will be involved in all aspects of qualifying our embedded products (hardware/software), driving production test automation, and supporting the integration of hardware, firmware, and software in our Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) environment. This position requires hands-on experience with hardware setup and connectivity, the ability to build test fixtures, create software test tools, and apply a strong understanding of hardware/software QA processes and automated test execution.

You will be responsible for the setup, automation, and execution of tests across third-party qualification labs, internal manufacturing production areas, and HIL / system test environments. This includes developing and maintaining robust test procedures for production hardware and software, managing version control for qualification and production test code, and collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure complete test coverage, product quality, and high reliability.

This position is based out of our headquarters in Rosslyn, VA and requires up to 20% travel to support hardware qualification testing at 3rd party labs and on-site customer integration testing.

## What You'll Do

- Production Test Automation & Execution: Design, develop, and deploy automated test scripts and software frameworks for production testing, end-of-line verification, environmental-stress screening, and acceptance testing. Troubleshoot and debug failures during production testing, collaborating with hardware, firmware, and production teams to isolate root causes. Develop, validate, maintain, and version-control test software, automated test procedures, and production test fixtures.

- Environmental Qualification & Compliance: Design, execute, and oversee comprehensive test plans for hardware environmental qualification and compliance standards (e.g., MIL-STD, DO-160, IPC). Manage test setup, connectivity, execution, and data collection within internal test environments and at third-party qualification test laboratories. Develop and maintain detailed technical documentation, including Test Plans, Test Procedures, Test Reports, and Verification & Validation (V&V) artifacts.

- Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) & System Design Verification: Assist in operating and maintaining the HIL lab, including configuration, cabling design, and hardware integration of test benches, test fixtures, and instrumentation. Collaborate with design engineers to perform Design Verification Testing (DVT), regression testing, and low-level system integration across embedded hardware, firmware, and software interfaces. Continuously improve test environments, methodologies, and automated coverage.

What Success Looks Like

- End-to-End Hardware Qualification: You seamlessly execute and document qualification testing internally and at third-party labs, ensuring products meet stringent compliance standards (MIL-STD, DO-160) and airworthiness expectations.

- Robust Test Automation: You build and scale version-controlled automated test frameworks and production fixtures that accelerate testing velocity while maintaining high coverage and defect detection.

- HIL Lab Mastery: You keep the HIL lab operational, well-configured, and tightly integrated across embedded hardware, firmware, and Linux software interfaces to catch integration issues early.

- Cross-Functional Reliability Partner: You work effectively with hardware, firmware, and production teams to isolate root causes rapidly, turning complex failure data into actionable product improvements.

## What We’re Looking For

Required:

- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.

- Experience: 3+ years of experience in hardware qualification testing, HIL testing, or test automation.

- QA & Test Automation: Strong understanding of hardware/software QA processes, test automation frameworks, and scripting languages (e.g., Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB/Simulink).

- Hardware & Lab Hands-On Experience: Direct experience setting up and connecting hardware components, test fixtures, measurement equipment, and diagnostic tools (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, logic analyzers, DAQs).

- Embedded Systems & Firmware: Familiarity with Linux operating systems, embedded software debugging, firmware concepts (HDL), and embedded Linux devices.

- Security & Clearance: Ability to obtain a US Government security clearance (Active Security Clearance preferred).

- Soft Skills: Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills; passionate about driving technical and procedural impact in a small team environment.

Preferred:

- Communication Protocols: Knowledge of protocols such as CAN, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, and UART.

- Standards & Compliance: Knowledge of MIL-STD, DO-160, and IPC standards.

- Quality & Manufacturing: Understanding of manufacturing/production processes and quality frameworks such as AS9100 or ISO 9001.

## Compensation & Benefits

- Base Salary: $110,000 - $140,000

- Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup

- Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families

- Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions

- Employer-paid Life and Disability Insurance

- Uncapped paid time off policy

- Flexible work & remote work policy

- Tax-deferred public transit benefits with Metro SmartBenefits (DC/MD/VA)

We are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that embraces the diversity of our people and represents the communities in which we work and the customers we serve. We know the happiest and highest performing teams include people with diverse perspectives and ways of solving problems. We strive to attract and retain talent from all backgrounds and create workplaces where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

Shift5 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, age, marital status, ancestry, projected veteran status, or any other protected group or class.

[Privacy Policy and Notice for Shift5, Inc. Job Applicants, Employees & Contractors](https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSoqk1SJimaI-_eN6ivV05XJKDJIvh7t32xMVM_7CEFDjGHGjEyFAs6_4v7Uv_OxALOz8g_IzQ6VYmn/pub)

## About Shift5

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Shift5 provides an operational intelligence platform that analyzes onboard serial bus and radio frequency data from military and commercial fleets to deliver near real-time threat detection, predictive maintenance, and compliance automation.
- **Entity Type**: Private – Series C (raised $75M ~10 months ago; total funding $180.75–$185M)
- **Headquarters**: Arlington, Virginia, USA
- **Founded**: 2019
- **Founders**: Josh Lospinoso (co-founder, now Board Member); the company was also founded by former U.S. Army Cyber Command officers.

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Defense, aviation, ground vehicles, maritime, rail – operational technology (OT) cybersecurity and observability.
- **Target customers**: B2B – U.S. Department of Defense, military branches (Air Force, Army), commercial airlines, rail operators, and critical infrastructure fleet managers.
- **Mission / purpose**: “We exist to protect the servicemembers who defend our nation and secure the critical systems that keep our economy moving.”

## Products & Services
- **Shift5 Operational Intelligence Platform**: SaaS/software that ingests serial bus and RF data from fleets (aircraft, ground vehicles, ships, trains) to detect faults, cyber threats, and GPS spoofing in near real-time.
- **Predictive Maintenance**: Transforms serial bus data into proactive maintenance insights to reduce unplanned downtime and improve mission readiness.
- **Cybersecurity / EW**: Analyzes serial bus traffic and RF data to flag threats (e.g., GPS spoofing, advanced persistent threats) and enable operator action.
- **Fleet Compliance**: Processes security log files from commercial aircraft to verify compliance with aviation regulations and identify security incidents.
- **RF-Enabled GPS Threat Detection**: Plug-and-play capability that provides early warning of GPS spoofing up to 200 nautical miles away.
- **Research Services**: Expert-led security assessments, novel threat research, and specialized tooling for protecting critical assets.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private company).
- **Key Metric**: Total venture capital funding – **$180.75M** (CB Insights) or **$185M** (company site) across multiple rounds; last raise was a **$75M Series C** approximately 10 months prior to the search date.
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: Partners include **Boeing** (joint fault/threat detection initiative), **Anduril** (next-generation command & control for Army), **Rune Technologies** (defense platform sustainment), **L3Harris** (Toby Magsig, former L3Harris executive, now President & CEO). Federal contracts include **U.S. Air Force F-16** upgrades, **CSfC listing** for classified operations.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Over **100 full-time employees** across five time zones.
  - Formalized executive leadership team (Toby Magsig confirmed CEO, new C-Suite roles) following “best Q1 in company history.”
  - Launched advanced RF-enabled GPS threat detection (Jan 2026).
  - Achieved **Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC)** listing (June 2026).
  - Selected for next-gen F-16 upgrades (Dec 2025).
  - Partnerships with Anduril, Boeing, and Rune Technologies.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Unique data access**: Only platform extracting and analyzing raw serial bus (MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429) and RF data from military/commercial fleets, often in contested environments.
- **Early-warning GPS spoofing detection**: RF-based method that detects threats up to 200 nautical miles away – a capability few competitors offer.
- **Deep defense heritage**: Founders and leadership with U.S. Army Cyber Command and L3Harris backgrounds; strong trust within DoD and prime contractors.
- **Regulatory compliance**: NIAP and CSfC listings enable broader use in classified and sensitive operations.
- **Partnerships with primes**: Boeing, Anduril, L3Harris – validated integration into major platforms.

## Strategic Focus
- **Acceleration across defense and critical infrastructure** – expanding beyond aviation into ground vehicles, maritime, and rail.
- **Product expansion**: Continued investment in RF-based detection, predictive maintenance, and integration with partner ecosystems (e.g., Lattice Mesh).
- **Talent scaling**: Hiring across deployment strategy, field engineering, hardware/software engineering, and go-to-market roles.
- **Executive leadership stability**: Formalized C-suite to support growth and market penetration.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “Low-ego, high-horsepower” team from diverse backgrounds (public/private sectors). Values include Mission-First Mindset, Relentless Innovation, and Data-Driven Precision.
- **Work model**: Many roles are “Remote/HQ” – flexibility to work remotely while maintaining an HQ in Arlington, VA. Open positions include Deployment Strategist, Field Engineer, Hardware Engineer, Systems Integration Engineer, and Proposal Manager.
- **Benefits**:
  - Comprehensive medical coverage with HSA contributions.
  - **12 weeks paid parental leave** (birth or adoption).
  - **Unlimited time off** plus paid holidays.
  - 401(k) plan (pre-tax and Roth options via Vanguard).
  - Financial and legal support through internal team.
- **Engineering culture**: Focus on solving tough OT problems; hardware and software teams work closely; emphasis on scalability and real-time data.
- **Impact**: Direct contribution to protecting service members and critical national infrastructure.

## Sources
1. [shift5.io – Homepage](https://shift5.io/)
2. [shift5.io – Company page](https://shift5.io/company/)
3. [shift5.io – Careers page](https://shift5.io/careers/)
4. [CB Insights – Shift5 profile](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/shift5)
5. [LinkedIn – Shift5](https://www.linkedin.com/company/shift5)

## Other roles at Shift5

- [Executive Assistant](https://feeny.ai/job/executive-assistant-shift5-rosslyn-103wwb3j656d) — Rosslyn, VA
- [Principal Platform Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-platform-engineer-shift5-rosslyn-va-0n5k1nczhwb2) — Rosslyn VA, OR
- [Senior Buyer & Strategic Sourcing Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-buyer-strategic-sourcing-specialist-shift5-rosslyn-jqq8hqd3n8mh) — Rosslyn, VA
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- [Mission Operations Specialist - Fort Carson](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-operations-specialist-fort-carson-shift5-remote-w76nc1mn6y0h)
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- [Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-shift5-rosslyn-nj10177tpk3j) — Rosslyn, VA
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- [Senior Quality and Process Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-quality-and-process-engineer-shift5-rosslyn-kn7pf1azpbht) — Rosslyn, VA