Senior Flight Safety Test Engineer, Space Systems

Peraton; Fort Belvoir, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton is seeking a Senior Software Test Engineer to support Flight Safety systems for national security space missions. You will design and execute test plans, validate data sources, and collaborate with developers, operators, and stakeholders to ensure safe, reliable toolsets for conjunction assessment, space object tracking, and ground deconfliction analysis.

You will lead test planning, automation, and operational verification in 24/7 environments, applying Bash and Python to Linux-based

Qualifications

• Minimum 16 years w/o a degree or 14 years with AS/AA or 12 years with BS/BA; or 10 years with MS/MA; or 7 years with Ph.D
• Active TS/SCI with adjudicated polygraph

Responsibilities

• Lead integration and verification testing of new data sources and software capabilities within legacy and next-generation FS systems
• Design, execute, and document software test plans, regression tests, and operational validation scenarios in test and pre-production environments
• Use Bash and Python scripts to support automated testing, data validation, troubleshooting, and system analysis in Linux-based classified environments
• Validate system performance by executing conjunction assessment and screening workflows, including RSO-to-RSO and RSO-to-ground proximity analysis
• Perform pre- and post-launch validation of TLEs, state vectors, and maneuver ephemeris data against cataloged RSOs to ensure collision risk mitigation logic is functioning correctly
• Operate and validate orbit propagation and analysis tools (e.g., STK or ASW-type systems), ensuring correct input handling, output accuracy, and reporting consistency
• Support defect identification, root cause analysis, and issue tracking for software anomalies discovered during test and operational use
• Participate in test readiness reviews, flight safety meetings, and operational training/exercise events
• Develop and maintain test documentation, validation reports, and user/training materials, and provide hands-on instruction (OJT) to team members
• Collaborate with engineers, operators, and external stakeholders to ensure system changes meet operational requirements and safety thresholds

Skills

Flight Safety testing

Astrodynamics

Bash/Python scripting

Test planning & validation

Team collaboration

Education

BS/BA

MS/MA

Ph.D

AS/AA

Tools

STK

ASW SuperCombo

Job description

Peraton is seeking a Senior Software Test Engineer to support Flight Safety systems for national security space missions. You will design and execute test plans, validate data sources, and collaborate with developers, operators, and stakeholders to ensure safe, reliable toolsets for conjunction assessment, space object tracking, and ground deconfliction analysis.

You will lead test planning, automation, and operational verification in 24/7 environments, applying Bash and Python to Linux-based