Senior SME Software Quality Assurance Engineer/Tester with Security Clearance

Overview Our client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Subject Matter Expert (SME) Software Quality Assurance Engineer/Tester to support mission-critical government programs. This role is responsible for planning, coordinating, executing, and documenting comprehensive software testing activities while serving as a trusted advisor to government stakeholders. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in software quality assurance, test and evaluation (T&E), systems engineering, and government acquisition programs. This individual will lead testing efforts across the software development lifecycle and ensure systems meet performance, security, and operational requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of software test events and activities.
• Develop, document, and execute comprehensive test plans and testing strategies.
• Conduct and facilitate Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) with internal and external stakeholders.
• Define and oversee Developmental Test & Evaluation (DT&E), Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E), and Cyber Test & Evaluation (Cyber T&E) activities.
• Ensure all testing efforts align with program objectives, customer requirements, and government standards.
• Provide recommendations related to test requirements during acquisition planning and contract execution.
• Perform functional, integration, regression, system-level, and acceptance testing.
• Identify, document, track, and communicate software defects and test results.
• Collaborate with software engineers, systems engineers, cybersecurity personnel, and program managers to validate system requirements.
• Lead test reviews, technical discussions, and stakeholder meetings.
• Maintain traceability, compliance documentation, and test artifacts throughout the program lifecycle.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for quality assurance and testing methodologies. Required Qualifications
• Master's degree with 15+ years of relevant experience OR Bachelor's degree with 18+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Degree in Computer Science, Information Assurance, Information Security, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Demonstrated experience supporting software development programs utilizing Object-Oriented Programming methodologies.
• Extensive experience performing Quality Assurance (QA) and/or Test & Evaluation (T&E) activities for government systems.
• Proven ability to develop test plans, manage test cases, execute testing events, and report findings.
• Experience leading and documenting testing processes, reviews, workflows, and stakeholder engagements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience with Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence, etc.) or comparable platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• DAWIA Test & Evaluation Practitioner certification.
• Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD) acquisitions, testing, and evaluation efforts.
• Knowledge of cyber systems and defensive cyber capabilities.
• Familiarity with federal acquisition, testing, and compliance policies.
• Administrative-level experience managing Atlassian environments within engineering organizations.
• Experience supporting large-scale, complex government software programs.