Senior Software QA Engineer - UAV Systems & Test Automation

PDW; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical coverage

401(k) with company match

Parental leave

On-site gym

Life insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Teamwork and innovation culture

Job summary

PDW in Huntsville, AL seeks a Senior Software QA Engineer to drive validation for next‑gen UAV systems and tool development. You will design and implement comprehensive QA strategies across bench, SITL, and flight environments, and collaborate with firmware, embedded, and flight test teams to ensure robust release readiness.

The role requires 5+ years in software/embedded QA, Python scripting, PyTest and Playwright experience, and the ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on software QA, systems QA, or embedded validation in complex environments.
• Experience developing and maintaining Python-based test scripts and automation utilities.
• Proficient with PyTest, Playwright and modern test automation for CI/CD.
• Experience with test management (TestRail) and defect tracking workflows.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Drive and refine QA processes to support high-quality software and system delivery.
• Develop and execute test strategies across bench, SITL, and flight test environments.
• Define quality checkpoints across development, integration, and release phases.
• Analyze defects and root causes; support corrective and preventive actions.
• Collaborate with firmware, ground control, embedded, and flight test teams.
• Create and maintain QA documentation including test plans and bug reports.
• Mentor junior QA engineers and share best practices for testing tools.
• Provide input on release readiness and validation planning for new features.
• Develop efficient test strategies from deep system and product knowledge.
• Identify opportunities to improve QA practices and product reliability.

Skills

QA principles

Python scripting

Test automation

CI/CD practices

Linux environments

Root cause analysis

Defect investigation

Team collaboration

Log analysis

Security clearance prep

Tools

PyTest

Playwright

TestRail

CI/CD tooling

Linux shell

Job description

PDW in Huntsville, AL seeks a Senior Software QA Engineer to drive validation for next‑gen UAV systems and tool development. You will design and implement comprehensive QA strategies across bench, SITL, and flight environments, and collaborate with firmware, embedded, and flight test teams to ensure robust release readiness.

The role requires 5+ years in software/embedded QA, Python scripting, PyTest and Playwright experience, and the ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.