Entry Aviation Software Test Engineer – Defense Sensors

Leidos LLC; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking an entry Aviation Software Test Engineer to work onsite in Huntsville, AL. The role focuses on automated testing, developing robust test infrastructures, and validating software for defense systems including UAS and CUAS solutions.

You will participate in test planning, design, and execution within an agile team, writing scripts in Linux and collaborating to ensure product quality. 2+ years of relevant experience or a master's degree is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Software Engineering, CS, CE, EE, Aeronautical Engineering, Mathematics, or equivalent with GPA 3.0+
• 2+ years of relevant technical experience or a Master’s degree in a related field
• Experience with OOP languages: C++, Python, or Java
• Experience with both manual and automated test tools and techniques

Responsibilities

• Participate in test planning, test strategy and test execution
• Develop automated scripts in Linux for various applications
• Work as part of an agile software team for tasking and progress reporting

Skills

Automation testing

Linux scripting

Agile methodologies

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Software/Engineering fields

Tools

Windows

Linux

Job description

Leidos is dedicated to making the world a safer place. This starts with helping our customers in the Defense Industry achieve their critical missions. Our dedicated Defense Group employees are solving critical challenges across the globe. Within the Defense Sector, the Kinetic Effects Business Area at Leidos currently has an opening for a talented entry Aviation Software Test Engineer to work onsite in our Huntsville office. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience to help test and develop software for tactical strike, sensors, CUAS, and UAS solutions. This position focuses on automated testing, development of robust, innovative software test infrastructures and frameworks, integration testing, informal manual testing, formal software qualification testing, fielding and support, and maintenance of software products. Software products range from analysis tools/simulations, mission planning software, and components of mission‑critical systems.

Primary Responsibilities

Direct participation as an integral team member who performs key roles with respect to test planning, test strategy and design, test execution, software engineering processes, and recommendations on product quality. Reviewing, editing, and generating various documents used for engineering and testing purposes per industry standards. Developing automated scripts in Linux for a variety of applications. Perform as part of an agile software team for tasking and progress reporting.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mathematics, or equivalent technical degree with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. 2+ years of prior relevant technical experience or Master’s degree in relevant field. Recent experience with software development and/or writing software test scripts using one of the following Object‑Oriented Programming languages: C++, Python, or Java. Experience in both manual and automated test tools and techniques. Aptitude for the technical skills required for software test, configuration management, and software quality engineering concepts. Experience developing test methods and procedures for software products using scripting and/or compiled languages. Working knowledge of Windows and Linux operating systems. Analytical and process improvement skills along with a personal drive for details and quality workmanship. Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Good communication skills. Resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville - North Alabama, AL area. US Citizenship is required and ability to obtain and maintain and DoD Secret clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience writing user interface (UI) tests with automated UI testing technologies. Experience writing software in compliance with applicable industry safety and cyber standards (MIL‑STD‑882E, DISA STIGs). Candidate is expected to accept constructive feedback from more senior software team members. The ability to work across multiple products under development by multiple small teams. Experience with Agentic AI coding tools.

Pay and Benefits Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

Securing Your Data Leidos will never ask you to provide payment‑related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment‑related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

Pay Range: Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00 The 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.

Leidos Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.