DARC Principal Systems Test Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: DARC Principal Systems Test Engineer Job Description

This role leads systems-level test engineering for an advanced radar system, with a focus on rigorous requirements verification, integration testing, and formal acceptance activities. You will design and execute comprehensive test strategies across software and hardware components, ensuring the system meets demanding operational and security needs. The position offers the opportunity to work on high-impact, technically complex challenges that directly support national security while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of engineers and mission partners.

• Execute software testing on an advanced radar system, ensuring thorough functional and performance coverage.
• Develop and maintain detailed test plans, test procedures, and test reports that align with system and customer requirements.
• Create detailed requirements verification procedures to support formal acceptance testing at the system and subsystem levels.
• Support system and subsystem integration and test activities, including fault detection, fault isolation, and fault recovery.
• Document test requirements and verification methodologies in the requirements management system, maintaining clear traceability.
• Review systems engineering documentation to ensure test plans and methodologies are accurate, complete, consistent, and aligned with system needs.
• Support the development of system integration plans, procedures, and scenarios for software and hardware integration testing.
• Participate in system- and element-level test planning activities, including test readiness reviews, and prepare for and execute assigned test events.
• Contribute to the development of innovative test automation solutions to improve efficiency and coverage.
• Support an Agile software development team and coordinate effectively with engineers and stakeholders across the integration and test effort.
• Participate in engineering peer reviews as a document originator and reviewer to ensure appropriate technical rigor and quality.
• Report progress, risks, issues, and results to the Integration and Test Lead in a clear and timely manner.
• Support system and subsystem integration, test, and requirements verification activities across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Apply integration testing practices for radar systems and large ground data processing systems, where applicable.
• Support Integration and Test/Checkout (IATC) of hardware and software configuration items, documenting results and deficiencies.
• Generate Modeling and Simulation (M&S) scenarios to support integration and test objectives.
• Document and record integration activities, including plans, procedures, results, and identified deficiencies, in an organized and auditable manner.

• 5 years of experience with a bachelor’s degree in science, or 3 years with a master’s degree, or 1 year with a PhD; alternatively, 4 additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• Willingness and ability to support combined international and CONUS travel up to 30%.
• Experience developing software requirements verification procedures.
• Experience conducting formal requirements verification tests.
• Experience preparing comprehensive test reports.
• Experience with requirements decomposition, requirements management, traceability, and requirements analysis.
• Experience with requirement documentation in a requirements management system.
• Hands-on experience in test engineering, including integration testing and validation activities.
• Experience developing and maintaining test plans, test procedures, and test reports for complex systems.
• Experience supporting system and subsystem integration, test, and requirements verification activities.
• Experience with C++ in the context of test, integration, or software validation.
• Knowledge of systems engineering practices as they relate to integration and test planning.
• Active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance at the time of application, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access.
• Ability to work effectively in an Agile software development environment and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

• Experience working on an Integration and Test team across multiple engineering disciplines.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience in missile defense, space tracking, and/or satellite operations (which may be considered in lieu of a degree).
• Experience integrating large, complex systems with diverse hardware and software elements.
• Ability to support Integration and Test/Checkout (IATC) of hardware and software configuration items.
• Experience generating Modeling and Simulation (M&S) scenarios to support integration and test activities.
• Ability to thoroughly document and record integration activities, including plans, procedures, results, and deficiencies.
• International integration and/or test experience.
• Experience with software development integration and test methodologies.
• Working knowledge of Agile development methodologies and associated tools and practices.
• CompTIA Security+ certification.
• SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner) certification.
• Experience integrating large ground data processing systems.
• Experience with radar processing algorithms or software integration.
• Advanced experience with C++ in complex systems environments.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate with engineers, leaders, and mission partners.
• Motivation to work on mission-driven, high-impact programs that support national security.
• Interest in long-term program stability and opportunities for accelerated professional growth.

This position operates in an on-site, Monday–Friday work environment located near the Colorado Springs Airport in the COCO-1 building, with no work performed on a military base. You will collaborate closely with a team of elite engineers, leaders, and mission partners in a highly technical setting focused on advanced radar systems and large-scale ground data processing. The role supports an Agile development environment, leveraging modern integration, test, and requirements management tools. The program offers a mission-driven culture where complex, real-world challenges are addressed at operational scale, and where work transitions rapidly from concept to deployment, providing both meaningful purpose and long-term program stability.

This is a Contract position based out of Colorado Springs, CO.

The pay range for this position is $110000.00 - $130000.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Colorado Springs,CO.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 23, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.