Principal Systems Test Engineer with Security Clearance

Principal Systems Test Engineer Mid-Level / Senior Level | $90,000 - $115,000 | Travel Up to 25% (CONUS & OCONUS) | Active Secret Clearance Required Support the deep space advanced radar capabilities by leading system integration and verification efforts for one of the nation's next-generation deep space radar systems. Join a multidisciplinary engineering team responsible for validating software and hardware performance through formal system acceptance testing, ensuring mission readiness for critical missile defense and space surveillance operations. A Day in the Life - What you'll do * Develop and execute end-to-end software and system verification testing supporting a deep space advanced radar program. * Create detailed test plans, step-by-step verification procedures, and formal acceptance test documentation to validate system requirements. * Perform software testing to verify functionality, performance, and mission readiness across complex radar capabilities. * Support system integration from subsystem checkout through full system-level testing, assisting with fault detection, fault isolation, and fault recovery activities. * Analyze test data and engineering results, documenting findings and providing technical input to formal acceptance test reports. * Collaborate daily with software developers, systems engineers, integration engineers, and customer stakeholders to coordinate testing activities and resolve technical issues. * Support Agile software development by validating new capabilities throughout the development lifecycle. * Develop and improve automated testing solutions that increase efficiency, repeatability, and overall test coverage. * Maintain requirements traceability by documenting verification methods and test results within the program's requirements management system. * Participate in system test readiness reviews, engineering peer reviews, technical assessments, and integration planning activities. * Develop system integration plans, procedures, and test scenarios supporting both software and hardware integration events. * Support domestic and international travel (up to 30%) to participate in integration events, formal testing, and customer demonstrations. Required Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university. * Level II: Minimum of 2 years of related systems test, integration, software, or engineering experience. * Level III: Minimum of 5 years of related systems test, integration, software, or engineering experience. * Experience developing software requirement verification procedures. * Experience executing formal verification and validation testing against documented system requirements. * Experience preparing technical test reports and documenting engineering results. * Strong written and verbal communication skills supporting technical collaboration across engineering teams. * Ability to support Agile software development and work within multidisciplinary engineering environments. * Ability to support up to 25% combined CONUS and OCONUS travel. * Active in-scope DoD Secret security clearance required at time of application. Preferred Qualifications * Experience supporting Integration & Test (I&T) activities across multiple engineering disciplines. * Hands-on experience supporting missile defense, space surveillance, space tracking, or satellite operations. * Experience integrating large-scale hardware and software systems supporting mission-critical environments. * Experience supporting Hardware and Software Integration & Test Checkout (IATC). * Experience developing Modeling & Simulation (M&S) scenarios supporting verification and operational testing. * Experience documenting integration plans, procedures, discrepancies, corrective actions, and test results. * International integration or operational test experience. * Knowledge of software integration and verification methodologies. * Experience working within Agile software development environments. * CompTIA Security+ certification. * SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner) certification. * Experience integrating large ground-based data processing systems. * Experience supporting radar processing algorithms or radar software integration. * Experience developing software using C++. Who is Caribou Thunder? Caribou Thunder is a HUBZone-certified small business providing advanced technical and engineering services to the U.S. Department of War and its mission partners. 35+ states and 20+ countries. We've delivered trusted solutions for over two decades - strengthening national readiness across missions on land, undersea, in the air, and throughout LEO, MEO, GEO, and deep space. Why Caribou Thunder? TEAM THUNDER - Mission Focused. Delivery Proven. Ready to Serve. * Employee Advocacy * Mission Proven * Global Reach * Skilled Teams * Modern Tools * Empowering Culture Our engineers and innovators ensure capability from sea floor to space frontier - delivering on time, maintaining compliance, and performing with precision in high-consequence environments. We specialize in Engineering Services, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Modeling & Simulation, Digital Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence - disciplines powering the nation's most complex technical missions. Employee Advocacy + Benefits Our people are the heart of Caribou Thunder. We invest in their growth, flexibility, and well-being - knowing their success drives ours. Benefits include: * Premium Health, Dental & Vision Insurance * 401(k) with 6% Company Match * Flexible PTO & Work Schedule * Education & Certification Reimbursement * Support for Military Leave * Work-Life Balance & Traditional Family Values Your future, your flexibility, your well-being - we invest in you. Apply and let's connect.