CORE FLIGHT SYSTEM (cFS) PRINCIPAL TESTER

JOB SUMMARY: The Software Test Engineer (Principal) will provide senior-level expertise in operations engineering, operations planning, and mission systems validation to ensure optimal operability of Flight, Ground, Science, and Information Systems. This position supports NASA’s core Flight System (cFS) Project at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing end-to-end testing of mission systems and reusable flight software components. 
 
This role will lead pre-launch end-to-end simulations of launch and early orbit scenarios, develop and coordinate test procedures, recognize and resolve failures and set-up issues, and provide objective evidence supporting verification and validation activities. The Software Test Engineer will also assist in the preparation of test reports and release documentation to support cFS major releases and customer deployments. Location: This position is located at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD with a hybrid schedule.  

PRIMARY DUTIES:

End-to-End Mission Systems Testing 

• Plan, coordinate, and take responsibility for end-to-end test activities supporting flight software, ground software, and mission operations systems. 

• Develop and execute pre-launch end-to-end simulations, including launch and early orbit scenarios. 

• Coordinate test execution with developers, systems engineers, operations personnel, and customer stakeholders. 

• Recognize failures, configuration issues, and set-up problems and determine procedures for appropriate verification and corrective action.

Test Procedure Development & Execution 

• Develop, review, and execute test procedures in support of formal integration and system-level testing. 

• Collect required test data and assist in test data reduction and analysis. 

• Ensure test execution provides objective evidence for verification of requirements and operational readiness. 

• Support troubleshooting, defect identification, root-cause analysis, and closure. 

cFS Release Validation & Sustaining Engineering Support 

• Support testing activities prior to each major cFS release, ensuring stability, regression coverage, and operational suitability. 

• Assist in generation of release documentation and support audits and reviews. 

• Provide sustaining engineering support for cFS reusable components and support customer integration efforts. 

• Provide customer support through email, meetings, phone calls, and technical coordination. 

Embedded / Flight Software Integration Support 

• Support integration and testing of embedded flight software components written in C. 

• Work within Linux development environments and support testing on real-time operating systems (RTOS). 

• Support or validate deployments using VxWorks and/or RTEMS as applicable. 

• Support configuration management and requirements management activities in accordance with NASA processes. 

Systems Engineering & Cyber Posture Support 

• Provide support for systems engineering activities, including architecture and technology studies to help form the future direction of cFS. 

• Support improvements to the cyber protection posture of cFS and related applications by applying cybersecurity best practices. 

• Assist in identifying risks, validating mitigations, and ensuring operational robustness of mission software products. 

Documentation, Reporting & Collaboration 

• Prepare test reports and summarize results in text, tabular, and graphical formats. 

• Provide status reporting and participate in weekly developer meetings and product demonstrations. 

• Support technical presentations, reviews, and demos as requested by the cFS Product Development Lead (PDL) and customer stakeholders. 

• Complete mandatory training and ensure compliance with NASA and contract requirements. 

REQUIREMENTS: The ideal candidate will possess strong software testing experience supporting complex embedded and mission systems and demonstrate the ability to lead test planning and execution across multiple stakeholders. 

Technical Skills 

• Understanding of basic software engineering principles and development life cycle processes. 

• Experience planning and executing requirements-based verification and validation activities. 

• Ability to follow formal test procedures and collect required test data. 

• Experience with embedded software programming techniques and flight software development. 

• Strong command of the C programming language. 

• Proficient knowledge of Linux operating systems. 

• Proficient knowledge of real-time operating systems (RTOS). 

• Experience with continuous integration (CI) techniques preferred. 

• Experience with application programming interface (API) definition and development preferred. 

• Knowledge of systems engineering processes is helpful.  

Key Skills and Abilities 

• Ability to plan and coordinate test execution across multiple teams and stakeholders. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including failure recognition and troubleshooting. 

• Basic mathematical ability to assist in test data reduction and analysis. 

• Ability to present test results in written, tabular, or graphical format. 

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment supporting mission-critical objectives. 

• Strong communication skills to coordinate with engineering teams, project leadership, and government personnel. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Preferred knowledge and experience using VxWorks and/or RTEMS. 

• Preferred experience with cybersecurity policies and implementation best practices. 

• Preferred experience with artificial intelligence, machine learning, and/or data architecture technologies. 

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: 12 years of experience in software testing, verification/validation, and mission systems integration. 

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Management of Information Technology, or a related technical discipline.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: Must be a US Citizen and able to pass a National Agency Check investigation w/ Inquiries (NAC-I) for badging and on-boarding.

ABOUT US: At MCSG Technologies, we believe the path to success begins by empowering our employees to do what is best for our customers. This helps create value for our customers and business partners through efficiencies and cost-effective relationships that are built on trust, while delivering on-time and within budget. Our company ethos is simple Empowered to serve our customers, our communities, our colleagues. If you would like to learn more, please visit our website at www.mcsgtech.com or find us on Glassdoor.

BENEFITS OFFERED: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, parental leave, paid time off, holidays and more. Learn more about MCSG Technologies benefits: https://www.mcsgtech.com/benefits/.

COLORADO'S EQUAL PAY ACT: In compliance with Colorados Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; MCSG Technologies considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

EOE STATEMENT: We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION: The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractors legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Salary : $170,000 - $180,000