Test & Validation Lead

KBR, Inc.•El Segundo, CA

1d•$129,000 - $161,000•Hybrid

About The Position

KBR is seeking an experienced Test & Validation Lead to support the MSEIT contract at Space Systems Command (SSC). This role is responsible for developing and executing the program's overall testing and validation strategy across multiple independently contracted software development teams supporting U.S. Space Force mission systems. The Test & Validation Lead serves as the focal point for integration testing, end-to-end validation, user acceptance testing (UAT), and release readiness activities. Working within a federated development environment, this individual will help ensure development teams maximize their internal testing effectiveness while establishing program-level testing practices that validate capabilities across organizational and system boundaries. This is a hands-on role. The successful candidate will not only define testing approaches and coordinate test activities but will also actively develop, execute, and analyze tests to support delivery and operational acceptance efforts. The program is actively evolving toward CI/CD-oriented software delivery, and the Test & Validation Lead will help drive increased automation, continuous testing, and rapid feedback mechanisms across the development lifecycle.

Requirements

Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, math, physics, or related technical field
7+ years of experience supporting software testing, quality assurance, systems validation, integration testing, or mission system verification activities
Experience developing test strategies and test plans for complex software systems
Experience conducting integration testing and end-to-end system validation
Experience planning and managing user acceptance testing activities involving multiple stakeholder organizations
Demonstrated ability to perform hands-on testing and validation activities
Familiarity with Agile software development methodologies and iterative delivery environments
Understanding of software development lifecycles and release management processes
Experience coordinating testing activities across multiple development teams
Experience using Jira, Confluence, test management platforms, and related collaboration tools
Strong analytical and organizational skills
Strong communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical teams
Proficient in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)

Nice To Haves

Active Secret or higher clearance
Master’s degree in engineering, computer science, math, physics, or related technical field
Experience supporting Space Systems Command (SSC), Space Operations Command (SpOC/CFC), or related U.S. Space Force programs
Familiarity with SATCOM systems, mission systems, or operational C2 environments
Experience operating in Agile, DevSecOps, or software factory environments
Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and continuous testing methodologies
Experience developing automated test frameworks and automated integration testing approaches
Understanding of operational acceptance (OA) processes and mission assurance activities
Experience supporting Kubernetes-based, cloud-native, or distributed software environments
Familiarity with API testing, service integration testing, and microservice architectures
Experience coordinating testing across independently contracted development organizations
Experience implementing shift-left testing strategies within Agile or DevSecOps environments
Familiarity with automated test tools such as Selenium, Playwright, Cypress, Postman, Karate, Robot Framework, or similar technologies
Experience developing test data management and test environment strategies
Familiarity with performance, resiliency, or operational testing approaches
Experience supporting AI-enabled mission systems or data-driven applications
Experience supporting transition from large release cycles to CI/CD-oriented delivery models
Certifications such as INCOSE CSEP/ESEP

Responsibilities

Test Strategy Development – Develop and maintain the program's overall testing and validation strategy across multiple development teams and mission systems.
Test Coordination – Work directly with independently contracted development teams to improve test planning, test coverage, test traceability, and release readiness.
Integration Testing – Develop and execute integration tests validating interactions across systems, services, interfaces, and mission workflows.
End-to-End Validation – Define and execute mission-focused validation scenarios that assess complete operational workflows rather than isolated software components.
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) – Plan, coordinate, and manage user acceptance testing activities across stakeholder organizations and operational communities.
UAT Management – Identify capabilities requiring user validation, develop test objectives, assign testing responsibilities to appropriate user groups, and manage execution through completion.
Test Execution – Personally develop, execute, document, and analyze tests as part of overall validation efforts.
Defect Management – Coordinate identification, prioritization, tracking, and resolution of defects discovered during integration and user testing activities.
Release Readiness Assessment – Support operational readiness reviews, deployment decisions, and release acceptance activities.
Test Reporting – Develop dashboards, readiness metrics, test status reports, and leadership briefings regarding overall system quality and test progress.
Automation Enablement – Identify opportunities to automate testing activities and incorporate testing into CI/CD delivery pipelines.
Cross-Team Collaboration – Work closely with software developers, DevSecOps engineers, cyber personnel, systems engineers, operational users, and program leadership.