Software Test Lead

Salary Range: $150,000 - $190,000 Location: Onsite in North Reading, MA Responsibilities Lead system-level verification and validation of robotics software systems, including autonomy, perception, motion planning, and controls integration. Define and own end-to-end system integration and test strategies for robotics software stacks, ensuring validation of complex, multi-service capabilities across platforms. Develop comprehensive test plans and validation frameworks for autonomous system behaviors, including trajectory generation, navigation, and mission-level functionality. Provide technical leadership to distributed test and software validation teams, enabling execution of test plans and ensuring coverage, quality, and traceability. Operate with a high degree of autonomy to identify gaps in test coverage, resolve ambiguity, and drive readiness across integration and validation phases. Collaborate closely with robotics software engineers to validate system performance across key domains such as motion planning, path optimization, localization, and control systems. Lead system integration efforts across software services, APIs, and middleware layers, ensuring correct interaction between perception, planning, and execution components. Analyze system behavior and debug software integration issues, identifying root causes across distributed services and real-time system components. Utilize scripting (e.g., Python) to support test automation, log analysis, simulation validation, and debugging of robotic system behavior. Validate robotics software in lab or simulated environments, including running integrated systems, executing scenarios, and measuring performance against KPIs. Support testing and observability of cloud-connected or distributed robotics systems, including familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS) for data capture, diagnostics, and system monitoring. Incorporate system-level risks and failure modes into validation strategies, ensuring robust coverage for edge cases and real-world operating conditions. Contribute to development of scalable, repeatable test frameworks and processes for robotics software validation. Maintain alignment between requirements, system architecture, and validation coverage using systems engineering and/or MBSE practices. Communicate system readiness, risks, and validation results clearly to engineering leadership and program stakeholders. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or related technical field; Master’s degree preferred. 10+ years of experience in systems engineering, software integration, or test leadership focused on robotics, autonomy, or complex distributed software systems. Proven experience leading system-level software integration and test strategy for robotics or autonomous systems. Strong understanding of robotics software architectures, including motion planning, navigation, control systems, and distributed service-based design. Experience operating as a Test Lead, enabling execution through teams rather than individually performing all testing tasks. Hands-on experience debugging system-level software issues across integrated stacks (perception, planning, control, infrastructure). Proficiency in scripting (e.g., Python) for test automation, data analysis, and system debugging. Experience working with cloud-integrated robotics or distributed systems (AWS or similar platforms). Strong understanding of requirements traceability, system validation, and full lifecycle testing. Experience working in Agile development environments supporting multi-team software delivery. Ability to operate independently in fast-paced, high-ambiguity environments while driving technical outcomes. Strong communication skills with ability to guide engineers and test teams across disciplines. Preferred Qualifications Experience with autonomous mobile robots, robotic manipulation systems, or industrial automation platforms. Familiarity with simulation environments, digital twins, or robotics testing frameworks. Exposure to middleware or robotics frameworks (e.g., ROS/ROS2 or similar architectures). Background in large-scale, multi-team robotics software programs. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy. Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug-free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire. #J-18808-Ljbffr