Test and Evaluation Lead

The Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector is seeking a Test and Evaluation (T&E) Lead to define the strategy and lead execution of the test mission for the Leidos Common Automation Platform (L-CAP). L-CAP is a mission-critical, future-ready automation platform built on a hybrid cloud data mesh architecture, enabling next-generation air traffic management capabilities for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As part of a large-scale Scaled Agile (SAFe) software development organization, you will lead the establishment of T&E processes, strategy, planning, execution, and reporting across the program.The successful candidate will be responsible for transforming how testing and mission validation are performed on a large-scale, safety-critical system. This role will establish the vision, strategy, tools, automation framework, and organizational approach for validating a continuously evolving platform operating within a highly regulated environment.The ideal candidate combines deep systems-level testing expertise with experience applying modern quality engineering practices, automation, digital engineering, simulation, and data-driven validation techniques to complex mission-critical systems.This position supports government programs and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a favorable Public Trust investigation.This position is located in either Gaithersburg, MD or Egg Harbor Township, NJ. This is an opportunity to contribute to projects that impact millions of air travelers.This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days onsite and 2 days working from home. Key ResponsibilitiesDefine and implement a modern Quality Engineering strategy focused on automation, continuous testing, system monitoring, simulation, and risk-based test planningEstablish AI-assisted and model-based testing methods to improve test coverage, accelerate testing, and identify defects earlierLead the development of test environments, simulation capabilities, synthetic test data, and digital system models to support validation before deploymentDevelop methods for validating systems in real-world operations using production data, system monitoring, operational replay, and performance analysisPromote early and continuous quality practices across systems engineering, software development, cybersecurity, and operations teamsEstablish automated testing pipelines that support continuous integration and continuous software deliveryDevelop resilience testing approaches that verify system behavior during failures, recovery events, degraded operations, and unexpected conditionsDefine quality metrics that measure operational performance, mission success, system reliability, and user experience rather than simply counting completed testsEvaluate the use of AI and machine learning to improve test creation, defect prediction, anomaly detection, and system validationLead the development and execution of the T&E strategy for L-CAP, encompassing developmental testing (DT), operational testing (OT), and integrated testingDevelop and maintain the Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP), test procedures, and associated documentation in alignment with FAA and DoD T&E standardsLead a multidisciplinary T&E team, including test engineers, analysts, and lab/field test personnelEstablish verification and validation (V&V) frameworks that ensure system safety, performance, and compliance with FAA requirementsPlan and execute test events across lab, simulation, and operational environmentsInterface with FAA stakeholders, providing test status, risk assessments, and readiness recommendationsEnsure compliance with safety-critical system testing standards, including DO-278A and applicable FAA ordersLead test readiness reviews (TRRs), test incident resolution, and lessons-learned processesRequired QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)12+ years of experience in test and evaluation for complex systemsDemonstrated experience performing T&E on large-scale, safety-critical systemsStrong knowledge of T&E planning and execution methodologies (TEMP, test procedures, test reporting)Experience with verification and validation frameworks, requirements traceability, and defect managementFamiliarity with Agile/SAFe development environments and integrating T&E into iterative delivery cyclesStrong communication skills with the ability to brief leadership, customers, and stakeholders on test readiness and riskExperience working with test labs, simulation environments, or operational test infrastructureAbility to obtain a Public Trust clearanceU.S. citizenship requiredSuccessful completion of background investigations as required by the government customerPreferred QualificationsExperience supporting FAA programs, air traffic management systems, or other aviation safety-critical environmentsKnowledge of DO-278A (CNS/ATM) or equivalent safety assurance standardsExperience with automated testing frameworks, CI/CD pipeline integration, and DevSecOps practicesFamiliarity with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and model-based testingISTQB, CTFL, or equivalent test certificationExperience with test management tools (e.g., Jama, DOORS, Jira/Xray, TestRail)Prior experience on large-scale federal modernization or transformation programsActive Public Trust or higher clearance​Why Join UsLead the T&E strategy for a transformational, national-impact air traffic automation platformShape testing practices at the intersection of safety-critical systems and modern Agile deliveryGrow your career within a large-scale enterprise programWork alongside top-tier engineers, systems architects, and mission expertsCompetitive compensation, benefits, and career growth opportunitiesATMCIf you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.Original Posting:June 12, 2026For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.Pay Range:Pay Range $116,350.00 - $210,325.00The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.SummaryLocation: Gaithersburg, MD; Egg Harbor Township, NJType: Full time