> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2848484-lead-test-automation-engineer-level-4](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2848484-lead-test-automation-engineer-level-4). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Lead Test Automation Engineer - Level 4 - **Company:** Northrop Grumman - **Location:** Colorado Springs, CO, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $117,500.0 - $176,300.0 - **Contract:** Contract - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Agile Methodology, Confluence, JIRA, Automation of Tests, Unit Testing, Microsoft Azure, C Sharp (Programming Language), C++ (Programming Language), Client Server Models, Continuous Integration, Discrete Event Simulation, Github, Junit, Python (Programming Language), Microsoft UI Automation, Nunit, Scrum Methodology, Software Architecture, Scaled Agile Framework, Simulation Software, Software Engineering, Systems Integration, Test Data, Test Execution Engine, Testng, Data Logging, Scripting, Postman, Cypress (Programming Language), Git, Xunit, Pytest, Gitlab-ci, Infrastructure Automation Frameworks, Playwright, Atlassian Tools, Production Code, Modeling and Simulation, Selenium Webdriver, Jenkins, Programming Languages - **Published:** September 11, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/9158142/lead-test-automation-engineer-level-4 ## About the Role * Bachelor's Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline preferred from an accredited university and 8 years of related experience; a Master's Degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related experience; or a PhD with 4 years of related experience. * Self starter with the ability to work both independently and in a team environment. * Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills to collaborate effectively with technical teams and customer personnel. * Familiarity with Agile software development practices. * Solid understanding of the software development lifecycle and how testing and automation integrate into that lifecycle. * Hands on experience designing, developing, and maintaining test automation, including: + Experience with at least one automated testing framework (e.g., unit, API, or UI). + Experience building automated regression suites and integrating them into build or CI pipelines. * Experience successfully leading a team of test engineers, including setting priorities, assigning work, and providing technical direction. * Experience training or coaching others in development of test automation, such as mentoring manual testers or developers in automation practices and tools. * Ability to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Government issued secret security clearance, a minimum of an interim secret clearance will be required to start. Preferred Qualifications: * Experience with C++, C#, Java, Python, or other modern development languages, including the ability to read and review production code and contribute to test code. * Experience with automated test frameworks and tools, such as: * Unit test frameworks (e.g., JUnit, TestNG, NUnit, xUnit, pytest, or similar). * API test frameworks or tools (e.g., REST Assured, Postman/Newman, Karate, or similar). * UI/client automation tools (e.g., Selenium WebDriver, Playwright, Cypress, or platform specific desktop UI automation tools). * Experience in agile software development methodologies including Scrum, Kanban, and Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). * Experience engineering modeling and simulation (M&S) systems using an optimistic and/or conservative discrete event simulation platform. * Knowledge or experience in several of the following: missile defense domain knowledge, command and control, and modeling and simulation development. * Experience designing or operating CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps) that incorporate automated tests and quality gates. * Experience with Atlassian tools such as Jira, Confluence, and Git (or equivalent work tracking, documentation, and configuration management tools). * Experience defining and tracking test/quality metrics and using them to influence design, prioritization, and risk management. ## Description The selected Senior Principal Test Engineer Lead will be part of the TASD Systems Team, overseeing test engineering with a primary focus on automated test design, development, and integration. This position will lead the effort to transform several software projects and their associated application suites from primarily manual test execution to a strategy that relies predominantly on automated testing. The Test Engineer Lead will support the development and verification of TASD software products across the portfolio, including Threat Modeling and Simulation Software (TMSS), Red-Force Objective Simulation Environment (ROSE), Missile Defense Advanced Simulation (MDASim), Threat Generator External (TGx), and the Missile Defense Space Tool (MDST). Responsibilities include designing, testing, analyzing, benchmarking, validating and verifying, documenting, automating, and integrating products for all organizations within the TASD program., * Leading the definition and implementation of a test automation strategy and roadmap to transition multiple TASD software products from manual to automated testing. * Creating, selecting, and/or integrating test automation frameworks and tools for unit, API/service, and UI/client-level testing, and defining standards for their use across teams. * Leading the design and implementation of automated regression, integration, and end-to-end test suites for client, client-server, and cloud-based simulation systems. * Creating or utilizing test tools and harnesses to support test automation (e.g., scripting, test data setup, environment orchestration) and training other test engineers in their use. * Supporting agile software teams within the context of a larger program, including embedding automation into CI/CD pipelines and enforcing quality gates. * Supporting the development of simulation and software architectures, including coaching software teams on building testable and test-friendly applications (e.g., appropriate interfaces, test hooks, logging, and observability). * Leading the test engineering team in efforts to improve product quality through rigorous testing, analysis, automation, and peer review, including identification and reduction of unreliable or inefficient tests. * Interfacing with TASD customers and stakeholders, preparing and presenting technical briefings on test strategies, plans, status, and results. * Defining and tracking test and quality metrics (e.g., automation coverage, defect trends, test stability) and using them to drive continuous improvement. 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