SDET QA Lead: Test Infra & CI/CD

Data Machines; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

Data Machines in Reston, VA seeks a hands-on QA Lead with SDET experience to design and mature testing infrastructure for production software supporting simulation and decision support. You will develop test harnesses and mocking, automate and manually test across Java, Rust, and TS/React apps, and integrate QA into CI/CD workflows.

The role requires a Secret clearance, strong communication, and the ability to lead QA standards and release-readiness discussions with technical leadership and

Qualifications

• Active Secret security clearance required or higher.
• Bachelor’s degree in CS/IS/SE/Math/Engineering or related field; four years additional experience may substitute for degree.
• 5+ years of industry experience in software development, SDET, QA, testing, or test infrastructure.
• Experience building test infrastructure, including mocking and CI/CD integration.
• Experience designing and executing automated and manual tests.
• Software development in Java, Rust, or TypeScript/React.
• Familiarity with full-stack web app development.
• Experience with CI/CD/defect-tracking tools (Azure DevOps, GitLab, Jira).
• Understanding of SDLC and testing lifecycle.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, documentation, and communication skills.
• On-site Reston, VA experience required.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, development, and execution of software testing and QA activities.
• Build and maintain scalable test infrastructure, harnesses, fixtures, and mocks.
• Develop automated and manual testing strategies across functions and levels.
• Oversee UAT and coordinate testing across dev, integration, staging, and prod.
• Integrate tests and quality gates into CI/CD pipelines.
• Create test plans, cases, scripts, and traceability from requirements.
• Test Java, Rust, and TS/React apps, APIs, and front/back ends.
• Identify, track, and validate defects through resolution.
• Collaborate with researchers, developers, and end users to translate concepts into tests.
• Establish repeatable QA standards, metrics, and release-readiness criteria.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to QA staff.
• Communicate testing status, risks, and release-readiness to stakeholders.

Skills

SDET Experience

QA Leadership

CI/CD

Java

Rust

TS/React

Azure DevOps

GitLab

Jira

Test Automation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Azure DevOps

GitLab

Jira

Job description

Data Machines in Reston, VA seeks a hands-on QA Lead with SDET experience to design and mature testing infrastructure for production software supporting simulation and decision support. You will develop test harnesses and mocking, automate and manually test across Java, Rust, and TS/React apps, and integrate QA into CI/CD workflows.

The role requires a Secret clearance, strong communication, and the ability to lead QA standards and release-readiness discussions with technical leadership and