Software Test Lead

Space Dynamics Laboratory•Stafford, VA

About The Position

Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) is seeking a mid-level software test professional to provide technical leadership and oversight for verification and validation of integrated hardware and software systems. The position is embedded with a government sponsor and works closely with Government Test and Evaluation staff and cross-functional teams. The role assesses whether systems and software satisfy established requirements and are ready for customer acceptance and operational use, while developing and improving testing approaches for evolving technologies and architectures. The position also provides technical direction and mentoring to personnel supporting test and independent verification and validation activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or equivalent, with five years of related experience.
At least five years of professional experience as a software test engineer, software test automation engineer, or in another engineering role.
Ten years of relevant experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree plus five years of experience.
Working knowledge of Linux and Windows.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently and with team members.
DoW security clearance.
U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a STEM field.
Experience in an Agile software development environment.
Experience implementing software testing in a CI/CD software development environment.
Leadership experience in software testing, test automation, and test documentation.
Experience with Digital Engineering tools.
Experience leading small teams.
TS security clearance.

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership and oversight for verification and validation of integrated hardware and software systems.
Review and evaluate test strategies, plans, procedures, cases, and results to ensure testing adequately verifies system requirements and acceptance criteria.
Assess test evidence and provide technical recommendations on whether systems and software meet requirements and are ready for customer acceptance and operational use.
Review systems, software, interface, and operational requirements for clarity, completeness, testability, and traceability.
Maintain traceability among requirements, test procedures, test results, defects, and acceptance criteria.
Develop and continually improve system, integration, regression, and acceptance testing approaches, including automation where appropriate.
Evaluate testing from an end-user perspective to ensure capabilities support operational workflows and intended mission use.
Identify, investigate, document, and manage defects and discrepancies; assess their technical and operational impact; and verify corrective actions and regression testing.
Develop risk-based test strategies that balance technical rigor, program priorities, system maturity, and release schedules across capabilities and software releases.
Coordinate test activities among Government stakeholders, development teams, system integrators, third-party test organizations, and operational users.
Identify gaps in test coverage, environments, procedures, data, and requirements, and recommend actions to adequately verify system performance.
Provide program leadership with assessments of test status, unresolved deficiencies, technical risks, and system readiness.
Develop and implement test methodologies and tools for emerging technologies and evolving hardware and software architectures.
Mentor and provide technical direction to engineers, technicians, student employees, and other personnel supporting test and independent verification and validation activities.