Principal Test Engineer

SAIC is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Test Engineer to support a critical program for the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. In this role, you'll be at the forefront of delivering reliable, mission-ready software and ground system capabilities that enable space operations across the Department of Defense.

As a member of the engineering team, you will play a vital role in validating, improving, and certifying software solutions that directly support operational users. You'll work closely with developers, system administrators, mission partners, and end users to ensure capabilities are thoroughly tested, operationally relevant, and ready for deployment in demanding mission environments.

This position offers the opportunity to influence test strategy, drive continuous improvement, implement modern testing methodologies, and help transition critical capabilities from development to operations.

As the Test Engineer, you will:

• Lead software and system test activities for mission-critical space operations capabilities, ensuring functionality, performance, security, and user requirements are fully validated prior to deployment.

• Collaborate across engineering, integration, and operational teams to troubleshoot issues, verify corrective actions, and continuously improve software quality and testing effectiveness.

• Plan and execute operational test events, including DITLs, TTOs, and ISTs, supporting the transition of new capabilities from development into operational environments.

• Own requirements verification and traceability efforts through RVTM management, use case development, and test environment administration to ensure complete mission requirement coverage.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related technical discipline and 9+ years of relevant experience, or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related technical discipline and 7+ years of relevant experience
• Active Top Secret or DoE Q clearance with SCI eligibility (must be eligible for SCI indoctrination within first 3 months of start date) and be able to obtain and maintain TS/SCI

• Minimum of 4 years of dedicated software and system testing experience

• Demonstrated experience developing and executing test plans, test procedures, automated test scripts, and manual test methodologies

• Strong understanding of software quality assurance principles, defect lifecycle management, and testing best practices

• Experience managing requirements verification and traceability using an RVTM or similar framework

• Knowledge of operational test events, including DITL, TTO, and other user-focused validation activities

• Experience supporting Integrated System Tests (ISTs) and the integration of new capabilities into operational environments

• Ability to analyze complex systems, identify potential failure points, and ensure mission requirements are fully validated prior to deployment

• Current Security+ certification (DoD 8570 compliant)

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command, or other national security space programs

• Familiarity with Agile development environments and DevSecOps practices

• Experience with automated test frameworks and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines

• Background in satellite operations, mission planning, scheduling systems, or ground system software

• Experience administering Linux or Windows-based test environments