Lead Tester

Omitron is seeking an experienced Lead Tester to lead system-level testing and verification of Omitron's Ground System Tools at our corporate headquarters in Beltsville, Maryland . The Lead Tester owns system-level quality from end to end, from the operator's console to the socket that sends a command to the spacecraft. This position will be responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of the entire test program and ensuring system releases are ready for operational use.
Some travel and occasional off-hours support may be required. Hybrid work arrangements and remote telework opportunities may be available based on operational requirements.
 
Responsibilities:
- Develop and lead comprehensive system-level test strategies covering unit, service contract, integration, end-to-end, and operational scenario testing, prioritizing activities based on mission risk.
- Plan, coordinate, and execute testing activities across integrated ground system tools to ensure operational readiness and requirements compliance.
- Design and execute end-to-end operational test scenarios that validate functionality across multiple tools, services, and interfaces.
- Develop, maintain, and execute automated regression, smoke, and scenario test suites using tools such as Playwright, Vitest, and Python.
- Validate system outputs against independent references, including simulator truth states, interface definitions, and legacy operational results.
- Conduct performance, stress, fault injection, and recovery testing to evaluate system reliability under high telemetry loads, spacecraft anomalies, communication disruptions, service outages, and database recovery scenarios.
- Verify server-side role-based access controls and mission data isolation while supporting security compliance activities aligned with NIST 800-53, DISA STIG, and FIPS 140 requirements.
- Lead release validation activities, including smoke and regression testing, and provide documented go/no-go recommendations for operational deployments.
- Identify, document, prioritize, and track software defects through resolution using Jira or similar defect management tools.
- Evaluate system functionality and usability from an operator's perspective, recommending improvements to enhance operational effectiveness and inform product development priorities.
- Manage test environments, representative datasets, and fresh-install verification activities to ensure consistent and repeatable testing.
- Collaborate with cross-functional development teams to troubleshoot issues, resolve defects, and improve overall system performance.
- Provide technical direction and coordinate testing activities to ensure quality objectives, schedules, and mission requirements are met.
 
Minimum Requirements:
- US Citizenship: U.S. citizenship required.
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience: Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in testing, verification and validation (V&V), or integration and test (I&T), including at least 4 years supporting spacecraft ground systems or satellite operations. A master's degree may be substituted for 2 years of professional experience.
- Demonstrated experience developing and executing system-level test plans and procedures with requirements traceability.
- Hands-on experience with spacecraft command and control systems, such as OpenC3 COSMOS, ITOS, ASIST, EPOCH, or a mission-specific equivalent.
- Experience developing automated tests using Python, TypeScript, or JavaScript, including REST API testing and browser automation tools such as Playwright.
- Experience leading, managing, or coordinating system testing teams and activities.
- Experience using defect tracking and test management tools such as Jira.
- Working knowledge of satellite operations processes and the spacecraft mission lifecycle.
- Proficiency with Linux, Docker, Git, and SQL, including troubleshooting through service logs and root cause analysis.
- Demonstrated ability to independently establish testing priorities, make technical decisions, and manage competing requirements.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.

- Certifications: No specific certifications required.
 
Preferred Qualifications:
- Education: Advanced degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience: Previous experience serving as a Test Lead or I&T Lead for spacecraft missions or ground system development and delivery.
- Familiarity with CCSDS standards, including Space Packet Protocol, Telecommand/Telemetry (TC/TM) Space Data Link, Space Data Link Security (SDLS), and XML Telemetric and Command Exchange (XTCE).
- Knowledge of ground communications networks, including NASA's Near Space Network (NSN), Deep Space Network (DSN), Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN), and commercial ground station providers.
- Familiarity with flight dynamics concepts, including orbit determination, maneuver planning, ephemeris generation, and Two-Line Element (TLE) products.
- Experience with flight dynamics tools such as GMAT, STK, or FreeFlyer.
- Experience conducting simulator-based testing, FlatSat testing, and fault injection.
- Familiarity with performance and load testing tools such as k6, JMeter, or Locust.
- Experience with message brokers, including RabbitMQ/AMQP, and time-series databases.
- Knowledge of cybersecurity testing practices and supporting Authority to Operate (ATO) documentation and evidence.
- Experience working with Amazon Web Services (AWS), particularly AWS GovCloud.
- Previous operational experience supporting NASA, NOAA, or Department of Defense (DoD) space missions.

- Certifications: Relevant industry or technical certifications preferred but not required.
 
Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this role is $125,000 to $150,000 . Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, education, technical expertise, certifications, security clearance, geographic location, internal equity, market conditions, contract requirements, and other factors.
Benefits include:
- Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
- HSA or FSA accounts
- Company paid ST/LT Disability and AD&D insurance
- Paid Federal Holidays
- Paid Vacation Leave and Sick Leave
- Parental Leave
- 401k with company match
- Supplemental Insurance options like AFLAC
- Professional Development Reimbursement
- Voluntary Life Insurance
 
Company Overview:
Omitron is an Aerospace Engineering and Information Technology small business firm headquartered in Beltsville, Maryland with a field office located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Since 1984, Omitron has provided excellence in engineering services and product development to government and industry customers for both civilian and military aerospace programs.
Omitron recognizes that outstanding people are the key to our success. Our goal is to select highly qualified and motivated individuals and provide them with an environment necessary to stimulate and nurture engineering and business objectives. Omitron offers its employees competitive salaries, a full benefits package, and excellent career growth opportunities. We welcome talented professionals who wish to take advantage of the opportunities we offer.
At Omitron, we believe that a workplace that fosters innovation and collaboration will be a successful one. We are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining top talent from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
Per Title VII, our hiring decisions are made based on qualifications, skills, and experience, in accordance with our commitment to equal opportunity employment and nondiscrimination policies. We welcome all individuals who share our passion for excellence and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
We also support a workplace where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best work. Our workplace initiatives are open to all and designed to create a culture of belonging for everyone.
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