Systems Engineering Test Lead - Clearance Required

Accountabilities:: Architect and maintain an enterprise test strategy covering the complete system lifecycle, including requirements traceability, test coverage analysis, and test architecture documentation. Align testing strategies, plans, and execution activities with major program milestones, contract deliverables, and incremental capability releases. Establish and govern Agile quality gates, including entry and exit criteria, defect severity standards, and readiness requirements across testing phases. Review and validate test cases, scripts, procedures, and other test artifacts against applicable DoDAF architectural views and technical requirements. Ensure comprehensive coverage of integration points between legacy and modernized systems, with particular attention to interoperability and data integrity. Lead formal Systems Integration Testing, User Acceptance Testing, and system-of-systems verification activities. Develop testing methodologies and coordinate resources, schedules, environments, and stakeholders across multiple platforms and security environments. Plan and conduct UAT in partnership with end users to validate mission requirements and operational suitability. Establish and maintain automated regression testing capabilities that support continuous integration and continuous delivery practices. Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks related to system performance, security, interoperability, and integration throughout the testing lifecycle. Manage defects and issues while providing leadership with regular reporting on trends, status, risks, and corrective actions. Lead test readiness reviews, execution meetings, defect triage sessions, and other recurring testing governance activities. Coordinate with internal teams, program management offices, prime contractors, external certification organizations, and government stakeholders. Facilitate joint reviews supporting formal acceptance and interoperability certification. Maintain comprehensive test evidence, results, findings, and verification documentation for audits, certifications, and accreditation activities. Integrate testing and evaluation activities into Agile sprint and Program Increment planning in collaboration with Product Owners, Scrum teams, and program leadership. Provide technical and architectural guidance as testing priorities evolve alongside program requirements and capability releases. Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline. 10+ years of relevant experience in systems engineering, software quality engineering, test and evaluation, or test leadership supporting defense, federal, or large-scale enterprise software programs. Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary engineering and test teams supporting U.S. military services or joint/multi-agency enterprise environments. Proven experience architecting, planning, and governing complex system integration and verification programs while aligning activities with technical reviews and compliance milestones. Strong knowledge of systems engineering practices, including DoDAF architectural views, interface control verification, requirements traceability, and system-of-systems integration. Practical experience with Agile delivery methodologies such as SAFe and Scrum, as well as software development practices, test automation, and CI/CD pipelines. Experience with automated test management platforms, defect tracking systems such as Jira, and cloud-native architectures operating across multiple security enclaves. Active Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one. Strong leadership, communication, coordination, documentation, and stakeholder management skills. Preferred certifications include DAWIA Practitioner or Advanced credentials in Test & Evaluation or Systems Engineering, INCOSE CSEP, and/or Agile certifications such as SAFe Agilist or Scrum Master. Experience supporting formal acceptance testing and joint interoperability certification involving external Department of Defense or other government agencies is preferred. Familiarity with DoD logistics data structures, Defense Logistics Management Standards (DLMS) transactions, and Defense Automatic Addressing System (DAAS) routing is a plus. Experience working with cross-domain DoD environments such as NIPR/SIPR and Cross Domain Solutions, including relevant security considerations, is preferred. Knowledge of enterprise analytics and test reporting platforms such as Advana, Jupiter, or comparable mission analytics environments is beneficial. Experience supporting aviation sustainment, weapon system logistics, or comparable defense modernization programs is highly relevant. Benefits: Target salary range of $101,144–$174,591 , depending on factors such as location, experience, internal equity, business considerations, and contract requirements. Fully remote work opportunity within the United States. Opportunity to work on complex, mission-critical defense and federal technology programs. Exposure to advanced systems engineering, automated testing, cloud-native architectures, Agile delivery, and secure multi-enclave environments. Opportunity to collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, government stakeholders, program leadership, and external certification organizations. Professional development opportunities through relevant systems engineering, testing, Agile, and technical certifications. Work focused on system readiness, interoperability, verification, and mission-critical technology delivery. Compensation and employment conditions may vary based on applicable business and contract requirements.