Software Test Engineer

About the role

The Software Test Engineer supports system-level software integration and testing within a laboratory environment. This role focuses on executing requirement-driven manual and automated integration tests, loading and configuring software in controlled lab settings, and troubleshooting distributed software components operating in publish/subscribe architectures.

Responsibilities

• Execute system-level software integration and test activities in a laboratory environment, focusing on requirement-driven test procedures.
• Set up, configure, and maintain Linux-based test environments to support integration and system testing.
• Perform manual integration and system testing, particularly during the initial phase where testing is predominantly manual.
• Support the transition from primarily manual testing to automated testing by contributing to the design and implementation of automated test solutions.
• Load, configure, and validate software builds in a configuration-controlled environment, ensuring consistency and traceability of test baselines.
• Interpret and analyze documented system and software requirements to derive, develop, and execute appropriate test procedures.
• Troubleshoot distributed software systems operating in Linux/Unix environments, including systems using publish/subscribe architectures.
• Conduct gray-box analysis of production software code written in C/C++ or similar languages to support integration troubleshooting and validation.
• Develop and maintain integration support tools and scripts, primarily using Python or comparable scripting languages, to improve test efficiency and coverage.
• Document test results, defects, and integration issues clearly and accurately using configuration and issue tracking tools.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in an agile environment to identify, reproduce, and resolve software integration issues.
• Support laboratory operations, including setup and maintenance of test equipment and test beds, to ensure readiness for integration and test activities.
• Support testing activities outside standard business hours when required to meet program milestones and lab availability constraints.
• Adhere to established configuration management, quality, and security processes in a structured development and test environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 2–4 years of experience in software integration, system test, or software engineering in a structured, configuration-controlled environment.
• Ability to read and modify C++ code to support integration troubleshooting and gray-box validation.
• Experience setting up and executing test procedures in a Linux or Unix environment.
• Experience executing system-level test procedures derived from documented requirements.
• Experience troubleshooting distributed software systems in Linux/Unix environments.
• Proficiency in Python or a comparable scripting language for test automation and tooling.
• Experience with software integration and test, including systems testing and integration testing.
• Familiarity with agile development and test practices.
• Eligibility to work on U.S. defense-related programs that require an active or recent DoD security clearance.
• Ability to work on-site in laboratory environments and support testing outside standard business hours.

Qualifications

• Experience working as a software test engineer, integration and test engineer, or systems test engineer on complex, distributed systems.
• Familiarity with requirements management tools such as DOORS or similar platforms.
• Experience with configuration management and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) practices and tools.
• Experience using issue tracking and collaboration tools such as Jira or Jazz.
• Exposure to large-scale defense or mission-critical systems, including radar, missile defense, or ship defense systems.
• Experience with gray-box testing by analyzing production code to design effective test cases.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for diagnosing integration and system-level issues.
• Comfort working in an agile, team-oriented environment with iterative development and testing cycles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting test results and collaborating with engineering teams.

Skills

• Experience with software integration and test, including systems testing and integration testing.
• Familiarity with agile development and test practices.
• Experience with configuration management and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) practices and tools.
• Experience using issue tracking and collaboration tools such as Jira or Jazz.
• Exposure to large-scale defense or mission-critical systems, including radar, missile defense, or ship defense systems.
• Experience with gray-box testing by analyzing production code to design effective test cases.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for diagnosing integration and system-level issues.
• Comfort working in an agile, team-oriented environment with iterative development and testing cycles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting test results and collaborating with engineering teams.