Software Quality Assurance Lead

American Systems; Arlington, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

AMERICAN SYSTEMS seeks a Software QA Lead to own end-to-end quality strategy for a defense program. You will drive test processes, mentor QA teams, and collaborate with the Government Software Lead to ensure robust test plans and modern DevOps pipelines.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, reducing defects reaching production and improving release quality across multiple contractor teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 4+ years in software engineering with focus on QA/testing.
• 2+ years in a leadership role managing QA teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor QA engineers and testers.
• Coordinate QA/testing across multiple software products from contractors.
• Collaborate with Government Software Lead to define test plans and strategies.
• Implement CI/CD pipelines to automate testing and improve release efficiency.
• Analyze requirements and design detailed test cases to identify defects.
• Report quality metrics to leadership and drive process improvements.
• Lead QA retrospectives and capture lessons learned.

Skills

QA Leadership

Software Testing

CI/CD

Test Automation

SDLC Knowledge

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/EE or related field

Tools

Python/pytest

C++/GoogleTest

Selenium

Job description

Overview

AMERICAN SYSTEMS is an employee-owned federal government contractor supporting national priority programs through our strategic solutions in the areas of Information Technology, Test & Evaluation, Program Mission Support, Engineering & Analysis, and Training.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Software Quality Assurance (QA) Lead with a strong background in software engineering and quality assurance to join a critical national defense program. This role is essential for ensuringthe reliability, security, and overallquality of software products developed for government use. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on leader who can drive quality initiatives across multiple development teams and ensure the integrity of every software release.

Role Overview

As the Software QA Lead, you will own the end-to-end quality strategy for the program’s portfolio of software products. Directly supporting the Government Software Leadfor the program, you will coordinate all testing activities, drive consistency in test processes, and partner with consulting engineers to craft robust test plans and modern DevOps pipelines. Your primary mission is to raise overall system reliability and dramatically reduce the number of defects that reach production.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of QA engineers and testers, providing guidance on best practices, test methodologies, and quality standards.
• Coordinate all QA and testing activities for a suite of software products developed by multiple defense contractors, ensuring a cohesive and standardized approach to quality.
• Collaborate directly with the Government Software Lead to define, develop, and execute comprehensive test plans and strategies.
• Work with consulting engineers to implement DevOps strategies, including continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, to automate testing and improve release - efficiency.
• Analyze software requirements and design detailed test cases to identify defects and ensure software meets all functional and non-functional requirements.
• Report on key quality metrics to program leadership, highlighting areas of risk and recommending improvements to the software development lifecycle.
• Lead periodic QA retrospectives, capture lessons learned, and implement process enhancements across the contractor ecosystem.
• Stay current on emerging testing standards and introduce best‑practice innovations.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 4+ years of experience in software engineering or a related technical field, with a focus on quality assurance and software testing.
• 2+ years of experience in a leadership role, specifically managing or leading software testing and QA teams for multiple software products.
• Demonstrated experience with a wide range of testing methodologies, including functional, integration, regression, and performance testing.
• Strong grasp of SDLC models (e.g., V-Model, Agile, DevSecOps).
• Hands‑on experience with at least one test automation framework (e.g., Python/pytest, C++/GoogleTest, Selenium).
• Solid understanding of CI/CD principles and DevOps tools.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to effectively coordinate with multiple teams and stakeholders.

• Must have a current and active Top Secret/SCI clearance with ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI. SAP eligibility.
• U.S. Citizenship Required for the purposes of obtaining/holding a U.S. security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience on defense or aerospace programs, especially in a multi-contractor environment.
• Experience with security-focused testing (SAST, DAST, vulnerability scanning).
• Exposure to Model‑Based Testing (MBT) or formal verification methods.

Pay Transparency Statement

AMERICAN SYSTEMS is committed to pay transparency for our applicants and employee-owners. The salary range for this position is USD $125,000.00/Yr. - USD $165,000/Yr. Actual compensation will be determined based on several factors permitted by law. AMERICAN SYSTEMS provides for the welfare of its employees and their dependents through a comprehensive benefits program by offering healthcare benefits, paid leave, retirement plans, insurance programs, and education and training assistance.

EEO Statement

EEO Race/Sex/Disability Status/Veteran Status