Airborne C4ISR Software Quality Assurance Engineer - Mid Level

Flight Test & Software Quality Assurance Engineer (E-3 AWACS)

LOCATION: Patrick SFB, FL

JOB STATUS:Full-time

CLEARANCE: Secret, Top Secret Eligible

TRAVEL: 20-35%

Astrion has an exciting opportunity for an SE-3 Flight Test & Software Quality Assurance Engineer (E-3 AWACS) located at Patrick SFB, FL.

We are seeking an experienced and mission-focused Flight Test & Software Quality Assurance Engineer to support the E-3 AWACS platform. In this high-impact role, you will be responsible for independently developing, compiling, and executing rigorous manual and automated test scripts to ensure mission-critical software is certified and ready for operational deployment.

This position uniquely bridges software quality engineering and airborne operational evaluation. The selected candidate will conduct developmental and operational testing both in software test environments and in-flight aboard Department of War (DoW) aircraft.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• Bachelor's Degree in a technical field with 3-10 years of relevant experience.
• Active Seecret Clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Aircraft Experience: Hands-on experience with E-3 AWACS aircraft operations and/or avionics/mission systems maintenance.
• Flight Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain an FAA Class 3 Medical Certificate (or military flight physical equivalent).
• Airborne Duty: Willingness and physical capability to perform technical test duties in-flight aboard DoW aircraft.
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel up to 20% per year (surge to 35%) to support test events, detachment sites, and operational exercises.
• Quality Assurance & Testing: Proven background in software test lifecycle management, automated testing tools, test database management, and deficiency tracking.
• Documentation & Communication: Strong written technical communication skills with experience authoring formal test plans, discrepancies, and release notes.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• Aircraft Experience: Hands-on experience with E-3 AWACS aircraft operations and/or avionics/mission systems maintenance.
• Flight Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain an FAA Class 3 Medical Certificate (or military flight physical equivalent).
• Airborne Duty: Willingness and physical capability to perform technical test duties in-flight aboard DoW aircraft.
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel up to 20% per year (surge to 35%) to support test events, detachment sites, and operational exercises.
• Quality Assurance & Testing: Proven background in software test lifecycle management, automated testing tools, test database management, and deficiency tracking.
• Documentation & Communication: Strong written technical communication skills with experience authoring formal test plans, discrepancies, and release notes.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Software Testing, Automation & Test Architecture

• Test Planning: Independently produce, review, edit expert-level test plan documents, detailed requirements traceability matrices, and operational test procedures.
• Execution & Certification: Execute automated and manual test scripts to certify system modifications, updates, and releases prior to operational production distribution.
• Regression & Solution Testing: Conduct rigorous solution and regression testing to confirm complex software meets all operational and functional requirements.
• Test Control Data Management: Develop and maintain test control databases, verifying their currency and integrity. Distribute standardized test datasets to development teams to ensure thorough unit testing.
• Deficiency Reporting: Track identified deficiencies observed during formal test events and produce comprehensive write-ups in accordance the DAF technical orders.

In-Flight Operational Evaluation & Flight Testing

• Airborne Test Execution: Perform technical and operational testing duties aboard DoW aircraft while in flight.
• Flight Data & Environment Validation: Evaluate software performance, system integration, and operator interfaces in real-world flight test conditions.
• Mission Preparedness: Maintain active medical qualifications and flight safety standards required for regular airborne test sorties.

Release Management & Process Improvement

• Engineering Collaboration: Act as the primary technical conduit between systems analysts, software programmers, flight crews, and leadership regarding test plans, anomalies, and certification milestones.
• Process & Documentation Governance: Develop, review, and enhance technical documentation, systems rollout materials, and operational process flows. Continuously identify and implement process improvements.