Test Engineer SME

Ideal Innovations, Inc.•Bethesda, MD

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Test Engineer SME serves as the subject-matter expert for automated testing within a tailored SAFe Agile DevSecOps pipeline and commercial cloud development environment. The role develops and executes test scripts, evaluates results, and improves feedback loops in a Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery pipeline. It also supports software development through iteration and functionality testing, with desired cross-training in systems engineering, software development, training, and security. The position collaborates with Agile team members to plan testing around User Story acceptance criteria and customer needs. It develops Python validation scripts and automated test cases for front-end and back-end applications using designated tools such as Selenium and Katalon Studio. The engineer also supports performance testing, prepares test data, documents end-to-end test narratives, and applies DevOps practices to improve repeatability and configuration management. This is an onsite role in Bethesda, Maryland, with a Monday–Friday, 40-hour work week. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold an active TS/SCI clearance with at least a CI polygraph; the posting also specifies a Full-Scope Polygraph (FSP).

Requirements

Active TS/SCI clearance with at least a CI polygraph; the posting also specifies a Full-Scope Polygraph (FSP).
U.S. citizenship.
A master’s degree with at least 15 years of relevant experience, or a Ph.D. with at least 13 years of relevant experience; additional years of experience may be substituted for a degree.
Ability to test both front-end changes and back-end application processes.
Expertise with scripting languages such as Python for task automation and test data/script development.
Extensive experience creating, authoring, executing, and documenting software product test cases in an Agile cadence, including software performance testing practices.
Extensive experience working and testing in commercial cloud platforms such as AWS and with DevOps tools.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and execute test cases that complement development efforts.
Extensive experience working in a SAFe Agile and DevOps development environment and tempo.

Nice To Haves

Experience administering MS Windows Server or Linux environments in a lab or personal development space.
Experience reviewing CI job output and tracing test failures to code changes that caused bugs.
Ability to review code check-ins to understand the impact of code changes on system functionality and potential application bugs.
Direct experience with AWS environments.
Flexible cross-training in systems engineering, software development, training, and security.

Responsibilities

Participate in Agile software development activities, including standups, planning, and increment planning, to support application innovation and enhancements through iteration and functionality testing.
Collaborate with team members to assess story-point complexity and ensure testing and functionality delivery meet User Story acceptance criteria.
Work with the Scrum Master, Product Owner, and software developers to develop test approaches, emphasizing automation of recurring and regression test cases.
Develop test validation scripts in designated languages such as Python and automated test cases for custom applications using GUI/COTS tools such as Selenium and Katalon Studio.
Apply DevOps practices to maintain and continuously improve the repeatability and configuration management of test cases and scripts.
Support performance testing and evaluation activities using tools such as JMeter.
Develop and document end-to-end functionality test case narratives using JIRA/Confluence.
Generate test data and identify use cases and corner cases needed to meet User Story and customer needs.
Evaluate test results and contribute to CI/CD feedback loops.
Provide technical expertise and support cross-training across systems engineering, software development, training, and security.