**Role & seniority: ** Software Test Engineer (experienced/versatile); owns test strategy and execution end-to-end in an Agile team

**Location & work type: ** Full-time, onsite in Huntsville, AL; U.S. citizenship required; Active Secret clearance

**Stack/tools: **

OS: Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) or equivalent
Version control: GitLab/Git
CI/CD & automation: build-pipeline automated test execution
Test tooling (implied): automated test and analysis capabilities; test documentation/reporting
Desired: Kubernetes, AWS/Azure (or equivalent cloud), Jira, Java (UI), modeling & simulation tools
Top 3 responsibilities:
1. Translate requirements into executable test procedures; develop and execute verification against documented requirements
2. Design/configure complex scenarios (sensor/system integration) and build/maintain automated regression/analysis for faster feedback
3. Diagnose failures/root cause, coordinate with developers to closure, and produce test artifacts suitable for program/government review
Must-have skills:
- Missile defense system testing experience; familiarity with MDA sensors/assets
- Test automation experience (execution and/or analysis)
- Ability to test to requirements (decompose requirements into procedures; document verifiable results)
- Rapid adaptation to changing features; troubleshooting complex issues
- RHEL proficiency; Git/GitLab; CI/CD pipeline expe

Full Description

Work Location

Full-time, onsite in Huntsville, AL

Clearance Required: Active Secret clearance (U.S. citizenship required)

Overview

Penta Research is seeking a versatile and experienced Software Test Engineer to support advanced software development efforts for missile defense programs in a dynamic Agile environment. This role owns test strategy and execution end to end: translating requirements into executable test procedures, automating what can be automated, and quickly diagnosing issues as features evolve.

Key Responsibilities

Define, develop, and execute test procedures that verify software against documented requirements
Design and configure complex test scenarios, including sensor and system-level integration cases
Build and maintain automated test and analysis capabilities to expand coverage and shorten feedback cycles
Produce detailed test documentation, results, and reports suitable for program and government review
Diagnose failures, isolate root cause, and work directly with developers to drive issues to closure
Adapt test artifacts and coverage rapidly as features and requirements change
Collaborate with stakeholders and government customers to validate system requirements
Actively participate in Agile events, including PI Planning, Iteration Planning, Sprint Planning, and Retrospectives
Support team and program-level demos and reviews

Required Qualifications

Experience testing missile defense systems and familiarity with MDA sensors and assets
Demonstrated experience with test automation (test execution, analysis, or both)
Proven ability to test to requirements. decomposing requirements into procedures and documenting verifiable results
Ability to adapt quickly to changing features and to diagnose and troubleshoot complex issues
Proficiency with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) or equivalent
Experience with GitLab/Git for software configuration management
Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated test execution in a build pipeline
Ability to work full-time onsite in Huntsville, AL
Active Secret clearance

Desired Qualifications

Experience with Kubernetes and container-based test environments
Cloud experience (AWS, Azure, or equivalent), including cloud-hosted test infrastructure
Familiarity with Agile Scrum methodology
Experience using Jira or similar Agile project management tools
Java development experience, particularly in user interface development
Knowledge of multi-core and multi-threaded programming
Experience with modeling and simulation tools

What Success Looks Like

In the first six months, this engineer will have taken ownership of the test procedures for at least one capability area, automated a meaningful portion of the regression suite, and become the go-to person for turning requirements into verifiable test results