Senior Aviation Software Test Engineer

Leidos; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Senior Aviation Software Test Engineer to join our Huntsville, AL team onsite. You will lead automated and manual testing efforts for software used in tactical strike, sensors, CUAS, and UAS solutions, and contribute to robust test infrastructures.

The role requires experience in C++, Python, or Java, plus leadership and strong communication skills. Expect collaboration within an Agile environment and opportunities to shape test strategies for multiple products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in software engineering, computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, aeronautical engineering, mathematics, or equivalent technical degree.
• At least 12 years of experience with BS or 10 years with MS.
• At least 3 years of leadership experience leading teams.
• Experience with C++, Python, or Java.
• Experience with manual and automated test tools and techniques.
• Working knowledge of Windows and Linux operating systems.
• Good communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct participation as an integral team member in test planning, strategy, design, and execution.
• Reviewing, editing, and generating documents used for engineering and testing per industry standards.
• Develop automated scripts in Linux and Windows for various applications.
• Work as part of an agile software team for tasking and progress reporting.

Skills

C++

Python

Java

Automation testing

Windows

Linux

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mathematics, or equivalent technical degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Agentic AI coding tools

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. At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business. With offices across the United States engaging in the defense, space, cyber and commercial fields, Leidos provides responsive, cost-effective engineering, scientific and IT solutions. Leidos is well known for our people-oriented culture, positive work environment, technical excellence, and resilient business ethics.

Within the Defense Sector, the Kinetic Effects Business Area at Leidos currently has an opening for a talented Senior 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 and Windows 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.
• At least 12 years of prior relevant technical experience with BS degree or at least 10 years with MS degree.
• At least 3 years of relevant leadership experience leading teams.
• 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.
• 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.
• Experience with designing and implementing software solutions for embedded systems and applications.
• Experience with creating and managing database architectures using object-oriented implementation principles.
• Experience with configuring and optimizing software with Ubuntu 22.04 environments.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Pay Range

Pay Range: Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

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 $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

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.