Principal Software Test Engineer (AHT)

Relocation assistance may be available. A Secret clearance is required to start; must be able to obtain Top-Secret and Special-Access-Program clearances. No travel.

About the role

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems (NGDS) is seeking a Principal Test Engineer based in Hollywood, MD. This role supports the full software product lifecycle in an Agile Scrum framework, including requirement definition, estimation, integration testing, SW/HW integration, test-procedure development, test-event support, user-documentation updates, and customer support. The ideal candidate is a cross-functional team player who collaborates with internal and external teams to deliver solutions.

Responsibilities

• Install, test, and verify software products
• Provide support for software installation
• Work within a cross-functional Scrum team to develop and test high-priority mission-planning features
• Understand third-party software and hardware peripherals to support implementation of software interfaces and integration
• Develop software test products such as Verification Cross-Reference Matrices, Software Test Plans, Software Test Procedures, and Software Test Reports
• Define and develop test approaches for new software and system capabilities
• Compile data and define changes required in testing procedures or new testing requirements
• Perform frequent Smoke Testing and Acceptance Testing on software builds
• Resolve technical issues within a Scrum, across Scrums, and with support from other functional roles
• Interface on a technical level with the customer
• Support authoring and development of contract-deliverable documentation for software products and test events
• Help define automated test strategies and implement automated tests and tools

All work must be performed on-site in Hollywood, MD.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM and 5 years of relevant experience (SW development, systems test, etc.), or a master’s degree and 3 years of relevant experience, or a PhD and 0 years. Relevant years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Current DoD Secret clearance (adjudicated within the last 5 years), with the ability to obtain Top-Secret and Special Access Program (SAP) clearances
• Experience with Agile Methodology and Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) tools (e.g., Bamboo, Jenkins) and practices
• Experience with Microsoft Windows technologies
• Test-procedure development and maintenance
• Experience supporting or coordinating formal test events
• Experience with scripting languages such as YAML, Python, PowerShell, Batch, or TypeScript
• Automated test-script or test-procedure development and maintenance for software testing
• Experience with automated testing tools such as TestComplete
• Functional understanding of revision-control systems (e.g., BitBucket, Git, CVS)
• Hands-on system troubleshooting skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in C#, .NET Framework, or other system/application development languages
• Experience with microservice development and service communication protocols such as gRPC and/or REST
• Experience with software design patterns
• Experience with relational databases and SQL
• Experience with the Atlassian Tool Suite: Bitbucket, Jira, Confluence, Crucible/Fisheye
• Excellent communication, organizational, interpersonal, and analytic skills
• Knowledge of air-vehicle mission-planning domains
• Demonstrated ability to implement process improvements, streamline activities, and develop efficiencies
• Experience with the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) Framework
• CompTIA Security+ Certification
• Active Top-Secret clearance (adjudicated within the last 5 years)
• Current SCI/SAP access

Pay

Primary salary range: $100,300 – $150,500. Depending on the position, employees may also be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses reward individual contributions and company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long-Term Incentives.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company-paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business