Principal Systems Test Engineer (Onsite)

Job Description
We are seeking a highly motivated and organized Systems Test Engineer to join our team in Rome, NY, supporting a long-standing government contract. This role is critical to ensuring the quality, stability, and security of our complex software application throughout its lifecycle. You will be responsible for the installation, configuration, testing, and validation of our software in both our Secure Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) and on our dedicated Operations Test Rail system.
This position requires a meticulous attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues. You'll work closely with software developers and system administrators to deliver a reliable and robust solution to our customer. This role demands a deep understanding of system interactions, data flow, and the ability to independently investigate and diagnose complex issues. The ideal candidate will be comfortable analyzing system logs, tracing issues through multiple layers of the application, and proposing potential solutions.
Key Responsibilities:

• Installation & Configuration: Install, configure, and maintain our software application on both Linux (Red Hat) systems within the SCIF environment and the Operations Test Rail system, managing complex configuration files and settings. This includes troubleshooting configuration conflicts, understanding dependencies, and ensuring system stability under varying loads.
• System Testing: Develop, execute, and document comprehensive system-level test plans and test cases based on requirements and design specifications. This includes designing tests to validate complex workflows and edge cases.
• Test Environment Management: Maintain and administer test environments, ensuring they accurately reflect production environments and are properly secured. This also includes replicating production-like data and scenarios for realistic testing.
• Regression Testing: Perform thorough regression testing to ensure new features or changes do not negatively impact existing functionality.
• Defect Management: Identify, document, track, and verify resolution of software defects using established bug tracking systems.
• SCIF Operations: Adhere to all SCIF security protocols and procedures during testing and data handling.
• Test Automation: Contribute to the development and maintenance of automated test scripts where appropriate. Experience with scripting or IT orchestration and configuration management tools like Ansible for test automation is highly desired, enabling the creation of repeatable and reliable tests.
• Documentation: Create and maintain clear, concise, and accurate test documentation, including test plans, test cases, test reports, and configuration guides.
• Collaboration: Work effectively with developers, system administrators, and security personnel to troubleshoot issues and ensure successful deployment.

Because of the need for consistent, in-person collaboration and/or the requirement to perform all work onsite due to the nature of this particular role, it will be performed full-time on site. This means work will be conducted on location at a BAE Systems facility 100% of the time
Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field with at least 5 to 6 years of related work experience. At least 3 to 4 years with a Master's degree. Candidates should have a demonstrable track record of successfully testing complex systems
• Demonstrated experience with Linux operating systems, specifically Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), including system administration and configuration
• Proven ability to manage and interpret complex configuration files and system settings
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Experience with software testing methodologies and best practices
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Experience testing software in a SCIF environment
• Experience with virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware, VirtualBox)
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI)
• Experience with containerization technologies (e.g., Docker) and containerization orchestration (Kubernetes)
• Experience with system administration tasks in a secured environment
• Knowledge of security testing principles and practices
• Experience with automated testing frameworks such as pytest, unittest, or similar
• Familiarity with log analysis tools and techniques (e.g., grep, awk, ELK stack)
• Experience with performance testing and load testing

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $107359 - $182510
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.