Software Test Engineer III (Contractor)

Protingent; Centennial (CO); On-site; USD 84,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

competitive salaries

HDHP/POS insurance options

education/certification reimbursement

pre-tax commuter benefits

PTO

administered 401k plan

Job summary

Protingent Staffing is seeking a Software Test Engineer III (Contractor) in Centennial, CO. You will lead test strategy, develop automated scripts, and collaborate with developers to assure software quality and reliability.

The role demands strong problem-solving, mentoring skills, and experience in Agile environments, with direct involvement in regression testing and test process improvements. This contract offers exposure to complex aerospace-grade software testing practices.

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent work experience; typically 5+ years in software testing or development.
• Experience with automated test development, review, and CI/CD environments.
• Strong problem-solving, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of test plans, cases, and procedures to ensure software quality.
• Develop and review automated test scripts for CI environments.
• Oversee defect lifecycle from discovery to resolution with developers and testers.
• Review design descriptions and requirements with software teams to shape test strategies.
• Maintain test documentation and participate in code reviews to improve testability.

Skills

Bachelor's degree

5+ years experience

Programming languages

Software testing

Agile methodologies

Mentoring

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

CI/CD tools

Python

JavaScript

Shell scripting

JIRA

Job description

Job Title: Software Test Engineer III (Contractor)

Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting contract Software Test Engineer III (Contractor) with our client located in Centennial, CO.

Job Responsibilities:

In this role, you will assist in leading the development and execution of comprehensive test plans, test cases, and test procedures to ensure the functionality, performance, and reliability of software systems. You will lead the development and review of automated test scripts to be leveraged in a Continuous Integration environment, collaborating with software developers and other engineers to understand software requirements and design effective test strategies. You will prioritize and plan testing activities in a fast-paced environment, oversee the defect lifecycle from discovery to resolution by working with developers to reproduce issues and verify fixes, and support the definition of software test risks and opportunities while considering cost and schedule impacts. Additionally, you will review and analyze software design descriptions, ICDs, and requirements in coordination with software development teams, lead and contribute to the continuous improvement of testing processes and methodologies, and implement automated testing tools and frameworks to optimize testing and verification processes. Reporting bugs and errors to development teams and providing insightful feedback to assist in decision-making will be key, as will performing regression testing to ensure new software updates do not negatively impact existing functionality or performance. You will utilize automated testing tools and frameworks to enhance testing efficiency and coverage, maintain and update test documentation such as test plans, test cases, and test reports, and participate in code reviews to provide feedback on software quality and testability. Staying current with industry best practices and emerging technologies in software testing will be an essential part of your role, along with mentoring and guiding junior test engineers by providing technical support and knowledge sharing. Finally, you will design and architect complex software test systems to meet project requirements.

Job Qualifications:

Requires bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or master's +3 yrs experience). Typically, 5+ years of related experience in software testing or software development. Expertise in multiple programming languages and advanced understanding of software development principles. Ability to design and architect complex software systems. Experience with different software development methodologies such as Agile and Scrum/Kanban. Strong problem-solving skills. Ability to mentor and guide other engineers. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication and documentation skills.

Nice To Have:

Proficiency with Linux-based software development environments. Experience with spacecraft flight software or ground command and control software. Experience with automated testing tools and frameworks. Knowledge of software testing methodologies and best practices. Familiarity with continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) processes. Understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC) and agile methodologies. Ability to rapidly work with minimal supervision on projects involving both small and large engineering teams. Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Experience with testing software systems used in aerospace or other highly regulated industries. Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, JavaScript, or Shell. Familiarity with common object-oriented software design patterns. Knowledge of security testing practices and tools. Familiarity with cloud-based testing environments and tools. Experience with test management tools such as JIRA, TestRail, or similar. Experience in leading and managing testing projects and teams. Familiarity with spacecraft simulation software, discrete time simulation or software modeling of hardware. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Practical experience utilizing software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop test methods. Familiarity with fault-tolerant software design and safety-critical systems. Desire to work with, learn from, and mentor others. Strong understanding of software system architectures and design patterns.

Job Details:

• Job Type: Contract
• Pay Rate: $60.87-$83.69/hr
• Location: Centennial, CO
• Required US Citizenship: May be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the appropriate level.

Benefits Package:

• competitive salaries
• insurance plan options (HDHP plan or POS plan)
• education/certification reimbursement
• pre-tax commuter benefits
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• an administered 401k plan

About Protingent:

Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation — from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We’re passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.