Principal Embedded Software Test Lead Engineer; Onsite

Principal Embedded Software Test Lead – Onsite role, U.S. Citizen required, Secret clearance (active).

Location:

Richardson, TX. Date posted: .

• Develop software test plans, procedures, and standards in line with program requirements.
• Conduct performance, stress, regression, and fault tolerance testing for embedded applications.
• Define and own the overall software verification strategy for embedded systems.
• Assess risks and determine test coverage to ensure system safety, performance, and compliance.
• Lead software verification and qualification efforts in alignment with rigorous program and contractual requirements.
• Lead integration and validation efforts across complex embedded systems, ensuring functionality, stability, and compliance throughout all development phases.
• Assign and track tasks for the software test team, ensuring on-time delivery aligned with program schedule.
• Serve as technical authority on embedded software methodologies, tools, and frameworks.
• Provide guidance to software test engineers.
• Mentor and coach early-career and mid-level engineers.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including systems, hardware, quality, and program management, to ensure cohesive execution and timely issue resolution.
• Design and implement automated test scripts.
• Perform debugging and root cause analysis.
• Lead audits and certification reviews.
• Act as primary liaison between the software test team and higher-level program leadership.
• Present test readiness reviews, verification status, and risk assessments to leadership, customers, and certification bodies.

• Knowledge within the Strategic Nuclear Deterrence domain.
• Applying fault injection, robustness testing, and stress testing in safety and mission-critical systems.
• Implementation of independence in testing (IV&V) for Design Assurance Levels.
• Mastery of DO-178C and other defense software assurance standards.
• Developing automation frameworks integrated with secure CI/CD pipelines in restricted environments.
• Critical thinking under high-stakes environments.

• Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS), including development, debugging, and performance optimization of embedded software applications.
• Experience leading, designing, and executing end-to-end test campaigns, including integration, system-level, and formal qualification testing.
• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, or nuclear command-and-control systems governed by standards such as DO-178C, MIL-STD-498, or equivalent.
• Previous professional experience with structured development life cycles, test methodologies, requirements analysis, and change/configuration management in compliance-driven environments.
• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an advanced degree and minimum 5 years of experience.
• Active and transferable Secret U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.

• Exposure to Earned Value Management (EVM) and understanding of how test progress integrates into broader program performance metrics.
• Background in hardware-software integration, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, or working within real-time embedded environments.
• Familiarity with test automation frameworks, test management suites, defect tracking tools, and requirements management platforms.
• Foundational understanding of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices and tools, including exposure to architecture models and interface control documents.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.
• Generous 401(k) plan, with employer matching and separate retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Student loan repayment program.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Optional coverage (pet, home and auto, additional life, accident, critical illness, group legal,  protection).
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits.
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning.
• Adoption Assistance.
• Autism Benefit.
• Employee Assistance Plan including up to 10…