Principal Systems Test Engineer

Caribou Thunder; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) with Match

Flexible PTO

Education reimbursement

Military Leave Support

Work–Life Balance

Job summary

Caribou Thunder in Colorado Springs is seeking a Principal Systems Test Engineer to lead end-to-end verification for a deep space radar program. You will develop test plans, execute verification against system requirements, and support Agile development with cross-functional teams.

Travel up to 25% (CONUS & OCONUS) is required, and a DoD Secret clearance is required at time of application. You will collaborate with software, systems, and customer teams to ensure mission readiness and robust

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in STEM from an accredited university.
• Level II: 2+ years of related systems test/engineering experience.
• Level III: 5+ years of related systems test/engineering experience.
• Experience developing software requirement verification procedures.
• Experience executing formal verification and validation testing against documented system requirements.
• Experience preparing technical test reports and documenting engineering results.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across engineering teams.
• Ability to support Agile software development and multidisciplinary environments.
• Ability to travel up to 25% (CONUS & OCONUS).
• Active DoD Secret security clearance required at time of application.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute end-to-end software and system verification testing for a deep space radar program.
• Create detailed test plans, procedures, and acceptance test documentation to validate requirements.
• Perform software testing to verify functionality and mission readiness.
• Support system integration from subsystem checkout to full system testing.
• Analyze test data and document findings for acceptance reports.
• Collaborate daily with software, systems, and customer teams to resolve issues.
• Develop automated testing solutions to improve efficiency and coverage.
• Maintain requirements traceability in the program's requirements system.
• Participate in system test readiness reviews and integration planning.
• Travel domestically and internationally to events and demonstrations.

Skills

Systems testing

Software verification

IV&V testing

Test reports

Requirements traceability

Agile development

Travel readiness

Security clearance

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

C++

Modeling & Simulation

Radar test tools

Job description

Back Principal Systems Test Engineer
Engineering Colorado Springs , Colorado Direct Hire Oct 29, 2026

Principal Systems Test Engineer

Mid-Level / Senior Level | $90,000 - $117,000| Travel Up to 25% (CONUS & OCONUS) | Active Secret Clearance Required

Support the deep space advanced radar capabilitiesby leading system integration and verification efforts for one of the nation's next-generation deep space radar systems. Join a multidisciplinary engineering team responsible for validating software and hardware performance through formal system acceptance testing, ensuring mission readiness for critical missile defense and space surveillance operations.

A Day in the Life - What you'll do

• Develop and execute end-to-end software and system verification testing supporting a deep space advanced radar program.

• Create detailed test plans, step-by-step verification procedures, and formal acceptance test documentation to validate system requirements.

• Perform software testing to verify functionality, performance, and mission readiness across complex radar capabilities.

• Support system integration from subsystem checkout through full system-level testing, assisting with fault detection, fault isolation, and fault recovery activities.

• Analyze test data and engineering results, documenting findings and providing technical input to formal acceptance test reports.

• Collaborate daily with software developers, systems engineers, integration engineers, and customer stakeholders to coordinate testing activities and resolve technical issues.

• Support Agile software development by validating new capabilities throughout the development lifecycle.

• Develop and improve automated testing solutions that increase efficiency, repeatability, and overall test coverage.

• Maintain requirements traceability by documenting verification methods and test results within the program's requirements management system.

• Participate in system test readiness reviews, engineering peer reviews, technical assessments, and integration planning activities.

• Develop system integration plans, procedures, and test scenarios supporting both software and hardware integration events.

• Support domestic and international travel (up to 30%) to participate in integration events, formal testing, and customer demonstrations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university.

• Level II: Minimum of 2 years of related systems test, integration, software, or engineering experience.

• Level III: Minimum of 5 years of related systems test, integration, software, or engineering experience.

• Experience developing software requirement verification procedures.

• Experience executing formal verification and validation testing against documented system requirements.

• Experience preparing technical test reports and documenting engineering results.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills supporting technical collaboration across engineering teams.

• Ability to support Agile software development and work within multidisciplinary engineering environments.

• Ability to support up to 25% combined CONUS and OCONUS travel.

• Active in-scope DoD Secret security clearance required at time of application.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Integration & Test (I&T) activities across multiple engineering disciplines.

• Hands-on experience supporting missile defense, space surveillance, space tracking, or satellite operations.

• Experience integrating large-scale hardware and software systems supporting mission-critical environments.

• Experience supporting Hardware and Software Integration & Test Checkout (IATC).

• Experience developing Modeling & Simulation (M&S) scenarios supporting verification and operational testing.

• Experience documenting integration plans, procedures, discrepancies, corrective actions, and test results.

• International integration or operational test experience.

• Knowledge of software integration and verification methodologies.

• Experience working within Agile software development environments.

• CompTIA Security+ certification.

• SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner) certification.

• Experience integrating large ground-based data processing systems.

• Experience supporting radar processing algorithms or radar software integration.

• Experience developing software using C++.

Who is Caribou Thunder?

Caribou Thunder is a HUBZone-certified small business providing advanced technical and engineering services to the U.S. Department of War and its mission partners.

35+ states and 20+ countries.

We've delivered trusted solutions for over two decades — strengthening national readiness across missions on land, undersea, in the air, and throughout LEO, MEO, GEO, and deep space.

Why Caribou Thunder?

TEAM THUNDER — Mission Focused. Delivery Proven. Ready to Serve.

• Employee Advocacy

• Mission Proven

• Global Reach

• Skilled Teams

• Modern Tools

• Empowering Culture

Our engineers and innovators ensure capability from sea floor to space frontier — delivering on time, maintaining compliance, and performing with precision in high-consequence environments.

We specialize in Engineering Services, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Modeling & Simulation, Digital Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence — disciplines powering the nation's most complex technical missions.

Employee Advocacy + Benefits

Our people are the heart of Caribou Thunder. We invest in their growth, flexibility, and well-being — knowing their success drives ours.

Benefits include:

• Premium Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

• 401(k) with 6% Company Match

• Flexible PTO & Work Schedule

• Education & Certification Reimbursement

• Support for Military Leave

• Work–Life Balance & Traditional Family Values

Your future, your flexibility, your well-being — we invest in you.

Apply and let's connect.

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