Senior / Principal Software Engineer – Automated Quality & Test (Embedded & Applications)

Zaden Tech • Huntsville, AL

69d • $130,000 - $175,000

About The Position

We’re looking for a Senior or Principal Software Engineer (Automated Quality & Test) to lead development of automated testing frameworks for both embedded and application-level defense systems. You’ll bridge software engineering, quality assurance, and security automation — ensuring our mission-critical software is rigorously tested, continuously validated, and ready for deployment in real-world environments. This role combines software craftsmanship with DevSecOps discipline and system-level thinking.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years (Senior) or 8+ years (Principal) of experience in software quality, test automation, or DevSecOps environments.
• Strong programming proficiency in C/C++, plus working experience in one or more: Python, Java, Ada, or Go.
• Experience building and maintaining automated test frameworks and test harnesses.
• Familiarity with continuous integration systems (GitLab CI, Jenkins, Azure DevOps).
• Strong grasp of software testing methodologies (black-box, white-box, gray-box).
• Working knowledge of networked or real-time embedded systems.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain a DoD Security Clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Active DoD Secret or Top-Secret Clearance.
• Experience with RTOS environments (VxWorks, FreeRTOS, or similar).
• Familiarity with hardware virtualization (QEMU, SIMICS) and HIL/SIL testing.
• Knowledge of DevSecOps pipelines, containerized test environments, and Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform, Ansible).
• Experience with defense software standards (DO-178C, MIL-STD-498, ISO 26262).
• Background in missile defense, aerospace, or tactical systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks for complex defense software — spanning embedded, application, and cloud domains.
• Implement end-to-end test strategies including unit, integration, regression, system, and performance testing.
• Develop automated test harnesses for applications in C, C++, Java, Ada, and scripting with Python, Bash, or PowerShell.
• Integrate automated testing and SAST/DAST security scanning (e.g., SonarQube, Fortify, Coverity, ZAP) into CI/CD pipelines (GitLab CI, Jenkins, or Azure DevOps).
• Build hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) test infrastructure for embedded systems.
• Collaborate with software, firmware, and DevSecOps engineers to maximize code coverage and testability.
• Create dashboards and metrics for continuous quality visibility, compliance readiness, and performance trend analysis.
• Support Continuous ATO (cATO) objectives by integrating automated compliance and security validation.
• Mentor junior engineers on test automation frameworks, code quality, and secure software practices.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary: $130,000 – $175,000 depending on level and clearance.
• Robust startup environment with access to cutting-edge defense technology programs.
• Employer contributions toward 401(k) and 50% health insurance coverage (employee & dependents).
• Paid holidays and flexible PTO.
• Clear career advancement paths toward Technical Fellow or Principal Engineer roles.
• A collaborative, mission-driven culture focused on innovation, automation, and measurable impact.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level