Cyber Software Test Engineer – UI Automated Test Engr (26-381)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Cyber Software Test Engineer – UI Automated Test Engr (26-381)

Company: Northrop Grumman

Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Software Engineering / Quality Assurance Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-26

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is focused on the development and implementation of automated testing frameworks for User Interface (UI) components within a critical defense program, requiring robust software engineering practices.

• The position demands proficiency in multiple programming languages, particularly Java, C++, and Python, for both software development and test script creation.

• Candidates will be instrumental in designing, building, and maintaining an automated testing infrastructure to ensure the quality and reliability of the Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) UI product suite.

• A key aspect of this role involves close collaboration with software development teams, understanding complex test requirements, and contributing to the overall software development lifecycle within an Agile environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is primarily a Software Test Engineer position, its focus on UI automation, framework development, and integration within a defense program offers significant overlap with Revenue Operations and Sales Operations principles, particularly in areas of process automation, system validation, and efficiency gains through robust testing. The emphasis on developing a scalable testing framework and ensuring UI reliability translates directly to ensuring the integrity and performance of critical business systems in an operations context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain software for the C2BMC User Interface (UI) using Java, C++, and Python.

• Design, build, and implement an automated testing framework for the C2BMC UI product suite with minimal supervision.

• Comprehend and translate complex test requirements into actionable automated test scripts.

• Execute automated test scripts, analyze results, and report defects with clear, concise documentation.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including software developers, systems engineers, and program managers, to ensure comprehensive test coverage and defect resolution.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of testing processes, tools, and methodologies within an Agile development environment.

• Maintain and manage source code for automated tests using Git and GitLab.

• Utilize and contribute to documentation within Confluence and JIRA for test plans, test cases, and defect tracking.

• Adapt to evolving project needs and be prepared to take on unexpected tasks to support program objectives.

• Participate in code reviews for automated test scripts to ensure quality, maintainability, and adherence to best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on hands-on development and framework building, which are core to enabling efficient and reliable operations. The need to "comprehend test requirements" and "analyze results" directly parallels the need for operations professionals to understand business needs and interpret data to drive process improvements. The mention of adapting to "unexpected tasks" is a common characteristic of fast-paced operations environments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a closely related technical field, with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.

• Alternatively, a Master’s Degree in a related field with 6 years of relevant work experience will be considered.

• Extensive relevant work experience (12 years) may be accepted as an alternative to a degree requirement. Experience:

• A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in software engineering, with a significant focus on automated testing and UI development.

• Proven experience in designing, developing, and implementing automated testing frameworks.

• Demonstrated ability to comprehend and document complex test requirements.

• Experience in software development using Java, C++, and Python.

• Practical experience with version control systems, specifically Git and GitLab.

• Familiarity with common software development and management tools such as Confluence and JIRA.

• Experience in an Agile development environment is highly desired. Required Skills:

• Current, active, in-scope Government-issued Secret security clearance.

• Proficiency in software development languages: Java, C++, and Python.

• Strong understanding and practical experience with automated testing principles and methodologies.

• Experience developing test scripts in Python.

• Fundamental knowledge of version control systems: Git and GitLab.

• Familiarity with collaboration and issue tracking tools: Confluence and JIRA.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic, fast-paced team. Preferred Skills:

• Current, active Government-Issued 8140 certification at IAT Level II or higher (e.g., Security+ CE, CCNA-Security, CySA+, CND).

• Knowledge of integrated development environments (IDEs) such as Eclipse and VS Code.

• Experience with build automation tools like Maven and Gradle.

• Familiarity with continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) tools such as Jenkins.

• Experience with version control systems like ClearCase.

• Proficiency with UI automation libraries/frameworks such as Selenium.

• Experience with GUI automation tools like PyAutoGUI and optical character recognition (OCR) tools like Tesseract.

📝 Enhancement Note: The educational and experience requirements are typical for a mid-to-senior level engineer in a defense contractor environment. The emphasis on specific programming languages (Java, C++, Python) and automation tools (Git, GitLab, Selenium, Jenkins) directly aligns with the technical demands of building and maintaining sophisticated operational systems. The security clearance requirement is a critical factor for roles in this industry.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase examples of automated test scripts developed in Python, demonstrating proficiency in logic, error handling, and reporting.

• Include case studies or project descriptions detailing the design and implementation of automated testing frameworks, highlighting scalability and maintainability.

• Present evidence of experience with version control systems (Git/GitLab) through code repositories or project contributions.

• Demonstrate familiarity with issue tracking and collaboration tools (JIRA/Confluence) by showing examples of bug tracking, test case documentation, or project planning. Process Documentation:

• Document the process for designing and building an automated testing framework, from initial requirements analysis to implementation and validation.

• Outline the methodology for comprehending test requirements and translating them into executable test scripts.

• Detail the workflow for executing automated tests, analyzing results, and reporting defects, including defect triage and verification processes.

• Illustrate the process for integrating automated tests into a CI/CD pipeline (e.g., using Jenkins) for continuous testing and feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations roles, a portfolio is crucial for demonstrating practical application of skills. This section emphasizes showcasing the process of building and utilizing automation, which is directly transferable to operations roles focused on process optimization and system implementation. The ability to document and present these processes is key to success in operations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $75,800.00 - $113,800.00 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Health Plan: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage options.

• Savings Plan: Retirement savings plan, likely a 401(k) with potential company match.

• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO for vacation, personal business, and holidays.

• Education Assistance: Support for continued learning, including tuition reimbursement or assistance for relevant coursework and certifications.

• Training and Development: Access to internal and external training programs, workshops, and professional development opportunities to enhance skills.

• Flexible Work Arrangements: While this specific role is on-site, the company offers flexible work arrangements for other positions, indicating a supportive culture.

• Other Potential Benefits: Life and disability insurance, potential for overtime pay, shift differential, and discretionary bonuses, as well as Long Term Incentives for senior positions.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week.

• Willingness to travel up to 10% of the time for business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is a general guideline. Northrop Grumman, being a large defense contractor, typically offers competitive compensation and a robust benefits package. The listed benefits are standard for large corporations and are designed to support employee well-being and professional growth, which are also key considerations for operations professionals seeking long-term career stability. The mention of overtime and discretionary bonuses suggests potential for earning beyond the base salary, common in project-driven environments.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aerospace & Defense, Government Contracting. Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products, and solutions to government and commercial customers worldwide. The company plays a critical role in national defense and security.

Company Size: Large enterprise (likely 50,000+ employees globally). This size indicates a structured environment with established processes, extensive resources, and diverse career paths.

Founded: 1939. With a long history, Northrop Grumman has a deep-rooted culture of innovation, engineering excellence, and commitment to national security.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team Aspect: This role is part of the Missile Defense Integration team, specifically supporting the Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) program. The team is comprised of skilled software engineers, test engineers, and systems engineers dedicated to advancing missile defense capabilities.

• Reporting Structure: The role reports into a management structure within the Space Systems sector, likely with a direct manager overseeing test engineering functions and reporting up through program leadership.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with software development teams, integration teams, systems engineers, and potentially government stakeholders to ensure the seamless integration and validation of the C2BMC system.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis and Insights: While primarily a testing role, data analysis of test results is critical for identifying trends, root causes of defects, and areas for process improvement.

• Workflow Planning and Optimization: The role involves designing and building automated testing frameworks, which is a form of workflow optimization aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing manual effort in the testing process.

• Automation and Efficiency Practices: The core of this position is the application of automation to enhance the efficiency, speed, and reliability of software testing.

Company Website: https://www.northropgrumman.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman's culture is deeply influenced by its mission in national defense, emphasizing rigor, security, and long-term commitment. For operations professionals, this translates to a stable environment with clear objectives, though potentially with more structured processes than in rapidly evolving tech startups. The large size means opportunities for specialization and internal mobility.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is for a mid-to-senior level Cyber Software Test Engineer. It requires a strong technical foundation in software development and automated testing, along with the ability to work independently and contribute to framework design. The responsibilities extend beyond basic script execution to framework architecture and development.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a test engineering manager or lead within the C2BMC program, who in turn reports to higher levels of program management within Northrop Grumman's Space Systems sector. This structure allows for both technical guidance and career advancement opportunities.

Operations Impact: The engineer's work directly impacts the reliability, performance, and security of the C2BMC system, which is critical for U.S. national defense. By ensuring the UI is robust and functional through automated testing, the role contributes to the effective decision-making and operational capabilities of U.S. military leadership. This translates to ensuring the integrity of critical operational data and command structures.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Develop deeper expertise in UI automation frameworks, test architecture, and potentially other areas of software engineering or cybersecurity within the C2BMC program.

• Industry Specialization: Gain specialized knowledge in missile defense systems, command and control technologies, and government security protocols, making them a valuable asset in the defense sector.

• Leadership Potential: With proven performance and expanded responsibilities, opportunities may arise for lead engineer roles, test architect positions, or management roles within the test engineering or software development departments.

• Certifications: Opportunities to obtain or maintain critical certifications like IAT Level II or higher, which are valuable for career progression in government contracting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path within a company like Northrop Grumman often involves increasing technical specialization or moving into leadership roles. For operations professionals, this means opportunities to become a subject matter expert in specific systems or processes, or to lead teams responsible for critical operational functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position, meaning the work will be conducted from a Northrop Grumman facility. The environment is likely a professional office setting with dedicated workspaces.

Office Location(s): Colorado Springs, Colorado. This location is a hub for defense and aerospace companies, offering a strong professional network and community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: While on-site, expect a collaborative workspace where team members can interact for problem-solving, code reviews, and knowledge sharing. The presence of required tools like JIRA and Confluence suggests a structured collaborative workflow.

• Operations Tools and Technology: Access to standard engineering and development tools, including high-performance computing resources, development IDEs, and robust network infrastructure necessary for defense-related work.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, stand-ups, and project reviews will facilitate interaction with colleagues, fostering a sense of shared purpose and collective problem-solving.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time, 40-hour work week. While the role is on-site, the company culture may offer some flexibility within the workday, though it is not explicitly stated as remote flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is critical for roles involving classified information and secure development environments. For operations professionals, understanding the physical work environment is important for assessing daily workflow and potential for collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter review of application and resume to ensure basic qualifications (degree, experience, clearance) are met.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions focusing on software development skills (Java, C++, Python), automated testing principles, framework design, and experience with tools like Git, JIRA, and Selenium. Expect coding challenges or whiteboard exercises.

• Process Optimization Challenge: A potential exercise or case study requiring the candidate to outline how they would approach designing an automated test framework for a given UI scenario, or how they would troubleshoot a complex testing issue. This assesses problem-solving and process design capabilities.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Meeting with potential team members and hiring manager to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with Northrop Grumman's culture, particularly concerning security and mission focus.

• Security Clearance Verification: Formal verification of the candidate's active Secret security clearance.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Framework Design Focus: Highlight projects where you designed or significantly contributed to the architecture of an automated testing framework. Explain the rationale behind your design choices.

• Code Quality: Ensure any code samples (e.g., Python test scripts) are well-documented, follow best practices, and demonstrate robust error handling and reporting.

• Process Documentation: Include examples of how you've documented test plans, test cases, and defect reports using tools like JIRA and Confluence.

• Metrics and Impact: Where possible, quantify the impact of your automation efforts (e.g., reduction in testing time, increase in defect detection rate).

• Tool Proficiency: Clearly demonstrate your experience with the required and preferred tools, explaining how you've used them effectively.

Challenge Preparation:

• Automated Test Framework Design: Be prepared to discuss the key components of a scalable UI automation framework (e.g., test runners, reporting mechanisms, page object model, data-driven testing).

• Problem Solving: Practice scenarios involving debugging automated tests, identifying root causes of UI failures, and proposing solutions.

• Agile Methodology: Understand Agile principles and how testing fits into an Agile development lifecycle (e.g., continuous integration, test-driven development).

• Security Awareness: Be prepared to discuss the importance of security in software testing, especially in a defense context.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations roles, demonstrating the ability to design, document, and present processes is paramount. The interview process and portfolio review will heavily scrutinize these capabilities. Focusing on quantifiable results and the "why" behind your process choices will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Programming Languages: Java, C++, Python (core for development and scripting).

• Version Control: Git, GitLab (essential for code management and collaboration).

• Collaboration & Issue Tracking: Confluence (documentation), JIRA (issue tracking, project management).

• Integrated Development Environments (IDEs): Eclipse, VS Code (preferred for efficient coding).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Test Reporting Tools: Likely integrated within the automation framework or CI/CD pipeline (e.g., Allure, ExtentReports) to provide detailed test execution summaries.

• Performance Monitoring: Tools might be used to analyze the performance of the UI under test conditions.

• Defect Tracking Analysis: JIRA's reporting capabilities to track defect trends and resolution times.

CRM & Automation:

• Build Automation: Maven, Gradle (for managing project dependencies and build processes).

• CI/CD: Jenkins (for continuous integration and continuous deployment, automating build, test, and deployment cycles).

• UI Automation Frameworks/Libraries: Selenium (web application testing), PyAutoGUI (GUI automation), Tesseract (OCR for image-based text recognition, useful for UI element verification).

• Version Control Systems: ClearCase (mentioned as preferred, indicating legacy system knowledge might be valued).

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is robust and indicative of a sophisticated development and testing environment. For operations professionals, understanding this stack highlights the types of tools and technologies they might encounter when integrating with or supporting development teams, especially in areas like CI/CD and data management.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A strong emphasis on contributing to national security objectives and supporting critical defense missions. This drives a commitment to quality and reliability.

• Engineering Excellence: A culture that values technical proficiency, rigorous problem-solving, and adherence to high engineering standards.

• Integrity & Trust: Paramount importance placed on security, ethical conduct, and trustworthiness, given the sensitive nature of the work.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: While individuals are expected to be self-sufficient, effective teamwork and communication are essential for success in complex, integrated programs.

• Continuous Improvement: An ongoing drive to refine processes, adopt new technologies, and enhance system capabilities.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless integration with development, systems engineering, and program management teams is key to ensuring the C2BMC system functions as intended.

• Process Review Culture: Regular reviews of test plans, code, and results are standard to ensure quality and identify potential issues early.

• Knowledge Sharing: An environment that encourages sharing of technical expertise, best practices, and lessons learned among team members, often facilitated through tools like Confluence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values of a defense contractor like Northrop Grumman are deeply rooted in their mission. For operations roles, this means a focus on reliability, security, and process adherence. Understanding these values helps in aligning personal work ethic and communication style with organizational expectations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of C2BMC System: The C2BMC system is highly complex, involving integration of numerous sensors and weapon systems across a global network. Understanding and testing this complexity presents a significant challenge.

• Evolving Threat Landscape: The missile defense domain is dynamic, requiring continuous adaptation of test strategies to account for new threats and system updates.

• Security Requirements: Adhering to stringent security protocols and clearance requirements adds a layer of complexity to daily operations and collaboration.

• Legacy Systems Integration: Potentially integrating new automated testing solutions with existing or legacy systems (like ClearCase) can be challenging.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in advanced UI automation techniques, test architecture design, and potentially explore adjacent areas like performance testing or security testing.

• Industry Certifications: Opportunities to obtain and maintain valuable certifications such as Security+, CCNA-Security, CySA+, or others relevant to cybersecurity and defense IT.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Access to experienced engineers and managers who can provide mentorship, guidance on career paths, and opportunities to develop leadership skills.

• Program-Specific Knowledge: Gain in-depth knowledge of missile defense systems, C2BMC architecture, and the broader defense technology landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: Facing complex systems and evolving requirements is standard in many operations roles. The key is to leverage these challenges as opportunities for skill development and to contribute to strategic improvements. The emphasis on continuous learning and certifications is highly relevant for operations professionals seeking to stay current.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UI testing challenge you faced and how you used automation to address it. What was the outcome?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and quantifiable results.)

• "How would you design an automated test framework for a critical, user-facing application like C2BMC, considering security and scalability?" (Assess framework design principles, tool selection, and strategic thinking.)

• "Explain your experience with Agile development methodologies and how you integrate automated testing within an Agile sprint." (Demonstrate understanding of Agile processes and iterative testing.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for Northrop Grumman and specifically on the C2BMC program?" (Show genuine interest in the mission and company.)

• "How do you ensure the quality and security of your code and test scripts, especially in a defense-related environment?" (Highlight your understanding of security protocols and rigorous development practices.)

• "Describe a time you had to collaborate with developers or other stakeholders to resolve a critical defect. How did you approach it?" (Assess communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project or by skill area (e.g., Framework Design, Python Scripting, CI/CD Integration).

• Case Studies: For each significant project, present a mini case study: Problem, Solution (your approach and tools used), and Results (quantifiable impact).

• Code Walkthrough: Be prepared to walk through a sample of your Python test scripts, explaining your logic, design patterns, and how you handle errors.

• Tool Demonstration: If possible, have visual aids or brief demos showcasing your proficiency with tools like Git, JIRA, or Selenium.

• Focus on Process: Emphasize not just what you built, but how you built it and why you made those decisions, relating it back to efficiency, reliability, and maintainability.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for these types of questions involves articulating your experience in terms of processes, methodologies, and quantifiable outcomes, which is directly applicable to operations roles. Demonstrating an understanding of the company's mission and values will also be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent position:

• Submit your application through the Northrop Grumman careers portal at https://ngc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Northrop_Grumman_External_Site/job/United-States-Colorado-Colorado-Springs/Cyber-Software-Test-Engineer---UI-Automated-Test-Engr--26-381-_R10247191.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your experience with Java, C++, Python, automated testing frameworks, Git, JIRA, and Confluence. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Reduced test execution time by X% through automation").

• Prepare your portfolio: Curate examples of your automated test scripts, framework designs, and documentation processes. Be ready to present a case study on a significant automation project.

• Research Northrop Grumman and the C2BMC program: Understand their mission, values, and the critical role of this program in national defense. Align your application and interview responses with these aspects.

• Practice interview questions: Focus on articulating your technical skills, problem-solving approach, and experience with process optimization through automation. Be ready to discuss your understanding of security requirements.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.