Job Description
Space Protection Programs (SPP) is seeking a Software Systems Test Engineer to lead our flight software qualification efforts. In this role, you will bridge the gap between software development and full-system mission readiness. You will collaborate across software teams to define comprehensive test cases, manage requirement verification matrices, and execute rigorous qualification testing. Your work will directly ensure the safety, reliability, and mission success of our flight vehicles.
The selected candidate will lead development efforts spanning the full software lifecycle including architecture, design, implementation, integration, verification, and system bring-up. This individual is expected to operate with a high degree of technical ownership and execution leadership, guiding teams through complex software and hardware integration challenges while supporting Agile program execution.
This position requires strong technical depth in embedded software verification and validation, system integration, and software qualification , as well as the ability to coordinate effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams and program stakeholders.
The ideal candidate is comfortable operating in dynamic mission environments, balancing technical execution, integration priorities, and evolving program needs while mentoring less experienced engineers and driving execution toward delivery milestones.
In this role you will:
- Collaborate Across Teams: Partner with software developers and systems engineers to define, document, and review comprehensive system test cases.
- Verify Requirements: Trace, manage, and execute the verification and validation (V&V) matrix to map flight software requirements directly to test procedures.
- Qualify Flight Software: Design, build, and execute automated qualification test suites on Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulators and flight-like hardware.
- Develop Test Frameworks: Write, maintain, and upgrade scalable automated test scripts using Python, C++, or other scripting tools.
- Isolate & Debug Defects: Identify, reproduce, and log complex system-level bugs, working closely with developers to pinpoint root causes.
- Analyze Telemetry Data: Review system logs and real-time telemetry stream data to verify vehicle performance during test flights and simulations.
- Maintain CI/CD Pipelines: Integrate automated test suites into continuous integration pipelines to catch regression bugs early in the build cycle.
- Author Compliance Documentation: Generate formal test plans, verification reports, and safety-critical compliance artifacts required for final flight readiness reviews.
Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Basic Qualifications
- Professional experience in software testing, systems integration, or software development
- Proficiency in writing and maintaining automation scripts using Python, C++, or C
- Hands-on experience creating test plans, defining test cases, and developing testing matrices from engineering requirements
- Experience with software integration, debugging, and troubleshooting across hardware/software interfaces
- Comfortable operating within Agile Scrum development environments
- Ability to obtain an Interim Top Secret Clearance prior to start date (US Citizenship required)
Desired skills
- Knowledge of embedded systems architectures and experience testing and integrating embedded systems
- Hands-on experience configuring and operating HIL test benches (e.g., dSPACE, National Instruments, Speedgoat).
- Demonstrated experience using Agile methodologies in the development, integration, and test of complex software systems
- Proficiency using hardware diagnostic tools such as oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers
- Experience utilizing environmental or vehicle physics simulators (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink, STK) to feed mock data into software.
- Experience with process improvement initiatives and execution optimization
- Experience supporting programs across the full lifecycle from concept development through operations and sustainment
- Comfortable working in fast-paced, dynamic, and highly collaborative technical environments
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence technical direction and build consensus across engineering teams
- Active Top Secret Security Clearance
National Pay Statement
Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in California, Massachusetts, and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $93,200 - $164,450. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate's final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
(Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
This position is incentive plan eligible.
Premium Pay Statement
Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in most major metropolitan areas in California, Massachusetts, and New York is $107,300 - $185,840. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate's final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
This position is incentive plan eligible.
