Test Engineer III

Leidos; Odenton (MD); On-site; USD 92,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Test Engineer for the NC3 Enterprise Center at Fort Meade, MD. The role focuses on testing and evaluating high-assurance communication systems to ensure secure, reliable nationwide leadership communications.

Responsibilities include developing test plans, automating testing, and analyzing results while collaborating with DoD stakeholders to maintain mission readiness. A Top Secret/SCI clearance and a Master’s degree are required.

Qualifications

• Top Secret/SCI clearance holder required.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.
• 10+ years of test/test-evaluation experience in hardware and/or software.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite and collaboration tools (MS Teams, SharePoint).
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to present technical content.

Responsibilities

• Validate Mission Readiness by developing and executing test plans for complex communication systems.
• Engineer automated testing solutions to enable end-to-end assessment.
• Optimize system performance using network, voice, and video quality analysis tools.
• Deconstruct complex anomalies through root-cause analysis during testing.
• Document detailed testing methodologies and results.

Skills

Test engineering

Top Secret/SCI clearance

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

MS Teams

SharePoint

Job description

Description

Are you seeking a highly rewarding job with global impact? This position may be the perfect fit for you! At Leidos, our mission is to be the global leader in developing and applying technology to solve our customers' most complex challenges. We are looking for a results-driven Test Engineer to join the Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) Enterprise Center (NEC) team at Fort Meade, MD.

This role is more than just a job—it’s an opportunity to contribute to critical national security efforts. The NC3 Enterprise Center serves as the Department of Defense’s lead organization for enterprise-level systems engineering and architecture for NC3. Under the leadership of the Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), the team leverages subject matter expertise and best practices to transform mission and operational requirements into effective solutions and capabilities. This is a Mission Essential contract that must be performed under all circumstances to achieve its DoD component missions and responsibilities.

In this role, you will test and evaluate critical high assurance communication systems. These test and evaluation activities ensure national leaders have assured communications in both peacetime and wartime. The position encompasses responsibilities including test tool configuration and operation, developmental and operational test planning, test execution, test data analysis and report writing. You will work closely with our customers to develop and facilitate execution of detailed test plans.

This is your chance to be part of a team tackling some of the most significant challenges faced by our nation's leaders. Working alongside our customer at Fort Meade, you’ll have the opportunity to apply your skills to meaningful work with far-reaching impact. Don’t wait—join our team and be part of the solution.

Primary Responsibilities

• Validate Mission Readiness – Develop and execute comprehensive test plans and procedures to conduct vulnerability, analytical, and technical assessments of complex communication systems across multiple security classifications.

• Engineer Automated Solutions – Design, develop, and integrate automated testing capabilities, methodologies, and analysis tools (GOTS/COTS) to enable continuous end-to-end assessment of system performance and security.

• Optimize System Performance – Configure and operate network, voice, and video quality analysis tools and modeling suites to evaluate system performance and identify areas for improvement.

• Deconstruct Complex Anomalies – Provide subject matter expertise in root cause analysis efforts to diagnose and resolve complex system and network issues uncovered during testing.

• Document Operational Truth – Create and maintain detailed documentation for all testing activities, including methodologies, analysis processes, and technical assessment reports.

Basic Qualifications

• Security Clearance: Top Secret/SCI clearance (mandatory).

• Education: Masters Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or educational equivalent.

• Experience: 10+ years in the following:

  • Providing tests and evaluations of hardware and/or software development.
  • Developing and documenting test plans and procedures.
  • Conducting testing, and evaluating and documenting results.
  • Preparing studies, plans, and analyses in support of a program.

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and collaboration tools (MS Teams, SharePoint).

• Communication: Strong written/verbal skills for technical documentation and presentations.

• Work Style: Ability to manage multiple tasks in an agile, dynamic environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with network data collection and testing tools and analysis techniques.
• Python programming and scripting skills.
• Understanding of/and experience with VoIP systems, codecs and transmission standards.
• Knowledge of National Leadership Command Capability or Senior Leader Command, Control and Communications Systems.

Experience working with Nuclear C3 community stakeholders such as Air Force, Navy, NC3 Enterprise Center, USSTRATCOM, USCYBERCOM, the Joint Staff, and OSD.

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 $92,300.00 - $166,850.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand 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.

About 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 $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. 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 at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

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.