Required - Top 3:
- DoD enterprise application testing experience — They need someone who has worked in a federal/defense environment and understands how testing works within DoD compliance frameworks like RMF.
- Test automation framework hands-on experience — Selenium, Cypress, JUnit, Robot Framework, and BDD tools like Cucumber or SpecFlow. They need to be able to build and maintain automated test suites, not just execute manual test cases.
- CI/CD pipeline integration — Specifically GitLab. They need someone who can wire automated tests into a development pipeline, so testing runs automatically. This is the technical differentiator between a mid-level tester and the senior profile this role requires.
Specific Outcome: This Position Will Produce: Every Spectrum XXI software release goes live fully tested, validated, and compliant with DoD requirements with zero reliance on manual testing
Typical Day-to-Day:
- Build and maintain automated tests so the software can be validated quickly and repeatedly without manual testing every time
- Make sure every software update passes before it goes live — regression, integration, performance
- Write test scripts using tools like Selenium, Cypress, and Cucumber
- Plug all of that testing into GitLab so it runs automatically in the development pipeline
- Work with the cybersecurity team to make sure security controls are being tested too
- Lead and mentor junior test engineers on the team
Years’ Experience/Degree Requirements/Certification: 8+ years in software/system testing with a focus on DoD enterprise applications
Three Questions a Recruiter Can Answer as Part of a Write-Up
- Walk me through a DoD or federal application you've tested — what compliance framework were you working under and how did that shape your test strategy?
- Tell me about an automated test suite you built from scratch — what tools did you use, how did you integrate it into a CI/CD pipeline, and what did it replace?
- Have you worked with BDD frameworks like Cucumber or SpecFlow? Give me an example of a test scenario you wrote in Gherkin.
Job Description:
- Experience: 8+ years of experience in software/system testing, with a focus on DoD enterprise applications.
- Location: Onsite at Contractor Facility in DC
- Expertise in test automation frameworks (Selenium, JUnit, Cypress, Robot Framework, etc.).
- Experience designing and executing BDD test cases using Gherkin (Given-When-Then format).
- Strong understanding of CI/CD pipeline integration for test automation.
- Ability to lead test planning, execution, and reporting, ensuring compliance with DoD mission objectives.
Role Summary:
The Senior Test Engineer will be supporting the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and leads test strategy, automation, and performance validation efforts for Spectrum XXI software suite, ensuring compliance with DoD cybersecurity, performance, and operational requirements. The engineer will oversee test automation, RMF compliance validation, and software verification processes, ensuring high system reliability and security.
Contract-Specific Responsibilities:
Test Strategy & Leadership
- Define and manage test plans, scenarios, and scripts to align with DoD spectrum management workflows coordinated with Spectrum Manager SMEs.
- Lead end-to-end system validation efforts, ensuring all SXXI updates pass UAT, regression, and integration testing.
- Oversee performance and scalability testing, ensuring SXXI can support 4,000-10,000 frequency assignment transactions per month, as outlined in the PWS.
Automation & CI/CD Pipeline Optimization
- Architect and implement enterprise-wide automated testing solutions integrated into GitLab CI/CD pipelines.
- Develop automated API test cases ensuring interoperability between SXXI, NTIA, and DISA systems.
- Utilize BDD frameworks (Cucumber, SpecFlow, Behave) to enhance test automation coverage.
Cybersecurity Testing Responsibilities
- Ensure test automation validates system authentication, access control, and encryption functionality as part of functional security testing.
- Work with cybersecurity teams to ensure system security test cases align with DoD operational security needs.
Stakeholder Engagement & Mentorship
- Serve as the primary test lead for SXXI software releases, coordinating with development and cybersecurity teams.
- Provide mentorship to Mid-Level Test Engineers, ensuring best practices in test automation and system validation.
- Participate in Technical Exchange Meetings (TEMs), Agile sprint planning, and PWS compliance discussions.
