Verification & Validation Manager  (AU)

Work with cutting edge technology, making the world a safer and more secure place. DroneShield (ASX:DRO) offers an opportunity to solve some of the world’s most challenging technical problems in Electronic Warfare, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, RF sensing, Sensor Fusion and distributed systems. Working with high profile customers across militaries, government agencies, airports, critical infrastructure, law enforcement and many others.

With one of the largest listed defence company market capitalisations in Australia and having raised approximately $250m in 2024 alone, DroneShield is undergoing hypergrowth stage, fuelled by rapidly increasing use of drones for nefarious applications, from battlefield, to terrorism, to contraband delivery and commercial espionage.

This role is in the DroneShield Sydney headquarters in Sydney CBD. There are approximately 300 staff based in the 4,000sqm facility today, scheduled to grow to approximately 400 staff by end of 2025. Overseas on the ground presence includes USA, Denmark, Mexico, and UAE, as well as distributors in over 70 countries globally. 

About the role

DroneShield is seeking a Verification & Validation Manager  with relevant experience to join the product development team in Sydney, Australia. The position will report to the VP of Quality Engineering. The role will manage a fast-growing V&V Team, mature a strong and capable discipline, implement new processes, ensure a high level of quality in traceability and reporting, and provide guidance, direction and training where needed. The role will work closely with other Managers across R&D and own all V&V deliverables across the development lifecycle. 

Responsibilities, Duties and Expectations 

• Build a strong and capable V&V team by hiring and training team members 
• Develop KPIs for the team, track progress and provide guidance 
• Assign team members across projects to ensure the timely execution of V&V activities 
• Mature existing and rollout new processes to improve team performance and throughput 
• Oversee V&V lab space and equipment management 
• Ensure the team develops coherent verification and validation plans 
• Coordinate the timely execution of tests and ensure verification protocols and reports are of high quality 
• Provide status and progress updates on the verification and validation of requirements throughout the product development lifecycle to Senior Management 
• Oversee maintenance, acquisition and development of Test Equipment 
• Improve test throughput and repeatability by developing Test Automation Platforms 
• Engage the team in early testing to identify design sensitivity, critical parameters and parameter limits 
• Introduce statistical and analytical tools to improve design decisions and reduce design iteration cycle times. 
• Ensure clear and consistent traceability from requirements to test results 

Qualifications, Experience and Skills 

• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical/Electronic, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or related technical discipline. 
• 4+ years’ experience working in a V&V Manager role 
• 7+ years’ experience working in a V&V or similar role 
• Strong understanding of system testing methodologies in highly regulated industries such as defence/medical/aerospace 
• Experience with scripting and automation tools (Python, Bash, etc.), and familiarity with Linux-based environments. 
• Exposure to embedded systems, RF sensing, sensor fusion, or signal processing technologies is highly desirable. 
• Experience with software tools such as Jira, Jama and Confluence. 
• Strong leadership skills leading teams of 10+ individuals 
• Proven ability to make critical decisions independently and to work under pressure and time constraints 
• Strong relationship building, influencing and negotiation skills 

Note for recruitment agencies: We do not accept unsolicited candidates from external recruiters unless specifically instructed.