Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer - Military veterans preferred

Position Title: Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Chesapeake Technology International (CTI) is seeking a Quality Manager to support a major Department of Defense software initiative by building and leading its quality assurance practices from the ground up. CTI is a lead integrator on this program and is currently hiring positions to staff an integration lab located near MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL. In this role, you will provide both strategic oversight and hands-on expertise, developing and executing test strategies across multiple technology domains including programming languages, API layers, security protocols, operating systems, and edge computing systems. You will also work directly with internal development teams, subcontractors, and partner companies to coordinate testing efforts, track quality metrics, and deliver software that integrates seamlessly across platforms.

As the Quality Manager, you will be instrumental in mentoring and hiring QA professionals, establishing best practices, and cultivating a sustainable quality culture within the program. The ideal candidate brings proven experience leading quality effortswhether in formal management positions or through demonstrated leadershipand is comfortable coordinating complex testing activities across multiple teams and organizations. Strong communication skills, both with technical teams and customer stakeholders, are essential. Experience with edge platforms is highly desirable, and familiarity with autonomous systems, robotics, or drones is a plus.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

•     Will standup a software quality assurance program for USSOCOM Unmanned Autonomous Systems Interoperability 
•     Facilitate quality management requirements and guide quality assurance engineers across USSOCOM SOF AT&L programs   
•     Assist in establishing an integration lab for SOCOM unmanned autonomy initiatives. 
•     Develop quality assurance test plans for USSOCOM integration exercises.  
•     Create and review comprehensive test plans to guide testing processes and ensure thorough coverage. 
•     Regular travel to customer sites to support customer quality initiatives and development personnel. 
•     Frequent end-user interaction and coordination to support successful software releases. 
•     Documenting detailed testing strategies to provide clarity and guidance for testing activities. 
•     Developing testing routines, automation frameworks, and procedures to streamline the testing process. 
•     Prioritizing and planning testing activities to optimize efficiency and meet deadlines. 
•     Conducting on-site manual and automated testing activities as needed. 
•     Collecting and analyzing testing data to drive continuous improvement. 
•     Compiling technical information or documentation related to quality assurance. 
•     Coordinating user, partner, or third-party testing efforts to enhance overall test coverage. 
•     Identifying flaws in software design, integrations, or functionality. 
•     Defining and tracking quality metrics/KPIs; reporting progress to stakeholders and leadership. 
•     Performing root cause analysis and ensuring lessons learned are built into future test planning. 
•     Driving alignment across multiple subcontractors and internal teams, balancing oversight with hands-on contribution. 

Requirements

Location: This position is expected to be fully onsite at SOCOM, HQ located in South Tampa.   

Necessary Skills and Experience

• Bachelors degree in computer science or related field, or 710 years of professional software testing experience.
• Demonstrable ability to strategize, lead, and scale team-wide testing efforts.
• Proven ability to effectively coordinate multiple teams quality apparatuses, including subcontractors and external partners.
• Strong, multi-domain technology understanding, including multiple programming languages, API layers, security protocol systems, operating systems, edge computing systems, and how these interoperate. (i.e. TestRail, Bash, Python, Kubernetes, Docker Compose, Gitlab)
• Excellent internal and external communication and collaboration abilities.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, or hiring QA professionals, even if not in a formal manager title previously.
• Must have an active U.S. government Top Secret security clearance with ability to obtain SCI eligibility
• U.S. Citizenship is required as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance
  

Beneficial Skills and Experience

• Experience in edge computing platforms, embedded systems, or IoT is a plus.
• Familiarity with scaled agile methodologies (e.g., SAFe).
• Knowledge of coordinating external contractors efforts as they relate to QA.
• Certification in software testing (e.g., ISTQB) is favorable.
• Background in autonomous systems, robotics, or drones, including testing of safety-critical systems, is highly desirable.
• Experience establishing new teams or scaling QA organizations from scratch.
• Exposure to performance, load, and security testing disciplines. 

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