Entry Level Python Sdet Jobs in Colorado Springs, CO

The Software Test Engineer will design, execute, and document tests for high‑fidelity modeling and simulation threat software that supports missile defense systems. This role focuses on validating and verifying complex simulation products, ensuring they meet functional, performance, and compliance requirements. The engineer will work as an integral member of an agile product delivery team, contributing to architecture discussions, test strategy improvements, and end‑to‑end solution quality. This is a fully on‑site position at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO, with responsibility for delivering high‑quality software on time and with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and execute test cases, test scripts, and comprehensive test plans to validate software functionality, performance, and compliance with requirements and acceptance criteria.
• Test new capabilities in modeling and simulation threat software, document new features, and analyze simulation performance to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Develop detailed test artifacts, including test plans, test cases, test reports, and performance metrics, to support traceability and verification of system and software requirements.
• Verify and validate system and software requirements, ensuring full traceability between requirements, test cases, and test results.
• Execute and support system integration testing, regression testing, performance testing, and end‑to‑end testing for complex software solutions.
• Support the agile software development team within the context of a larger program, collaborating closely with systems engineers, software developers, and product owners.
• Contribute to sprint planning by estimating testing tasks and working with the team to ensure on‑time delivery of high‑quality deliverables.
• Support the development of simulation and software architecture by providing test‑driven feedback and identifying risks and gaps from a quality perspective.
• Research technical details related to missile defense systems, command and control, and modeling and simulation domains to better support software development and testing activities.
• Identify opportunities to enhance test strategies, tools, and processes, and recommend improvements to increase efficiency, coverage, and software quality.
• Act as a quality advocate within the team, promoting best practices in testing, documentation, and requirements verification.
• Provide hands‑on training sessions and demonstrations for end users to ensure proper understanding and effective utilization of the software.
• Collaborate effectively with technical teams and customer personnel through clear written, verbal, and interpersonal communication.
• Support integration of tests into CI/CD pipelines and, where applicable, automated API and system‑level testing to streamline delivery.
• Travel up to 10% of the time to support business needs such as integration events, demonstrations, or coordination with external teams.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) from an accredited university and 2 years of related work experience, or a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 0–2 years of related work experience.
• Current, active, in‑scope U.S. Department of Defense Secret security clearance at the time of application.
• Experience in developing and executing test plans, test cases, test reports, performance metrics, and other core test engineering functions.
• Demonstrated experience verifying and validating system and software requirements and creating detailed test artifacts such as test plans, test cases, and test reports.
• Familiarity with Agile software development practices and the ability to work effectively within agile teams.
• Understanding of software development concepts and experience working with Linux platforms.
• Proficiency in at least one programming or scripting language such as Python or a comparable scripting language.
• Ability to adapt to ambiguity, take initiative, and work both independently and collaboratively in a team‑oriented environment.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills to collaborate effectively with technical teams and customer stakeholders.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time to support business requirements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Systems Engineering V‑lifecycle processes, including requirements decomposition, verification, and validation at both system and software levels.
• Proficiency in developing and maintaining requirements traceability matrices and aligning test plans, test cases, and reports with system‑level verification objectives.
• Experience or knowledge of Bash scripting, Git version control, and container technologies such as Docker or Podman.
• Experience testing REST APIs and interacting with SQL databases.
• Experience with agile methodologies such as Scrum, Kanban, or Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).
• Experience working with large code‑base modeling and simulation (M&S) systems using optimistic and/or conservative discrete event simulation platforms.
• Knowledge or experience in missile defense domain concepts, command and control systems, and modeling and simulation development.
• Experience with Atlassian tools, including JIRA and Confluence, for work tracking and documentation.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity concepts as they relate to software and system testing.
• Familiarity with DevOps principles and tools that support automated build, test, and deployment.
• Experience with Jenkins or other CI/CD tools, distributed version control (such as Bitbucket), code quality tools like SonarQube, and modeling tools such as CAMEO.
• Experience with C# and ASP.NET for testing or integration in relevant components.
• Experience using Curl and other tools for automated API testing.
• Understanding of microservices architectures and how they influence testing strategies and integration.
• Experience working with CI/CD pipelines and integrating automated tests into the delivery process.
• Familiarity with API protocols and tools such as JSON, REST, gRPC, Postman, and Swagger/OpenAPI.
• Understanding of HTTP/HTTPS protocols and common authentication mechanisms, including OAuth and JWT.
• Interest in supporting a long‑term effort focused on high‑fidelity threat modeling and advanced simulation development.

Work Environment

This role is fully on‑site at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO, with employees expected to be on‑site daily and no option for remote or hybrid work. The position operates within a mission‑focused environment that develops and delivers high‑fidelity threat modeling products in support of missile defense systems. The team works extensively with modeling and simulation (M&S) technologies, including kinematic missile modeling, infrared signature modeling, data production and analysis, and maintenance and sustainment of a large software baseline. Work is highly collaborative, involving close coordination with systems engineering, software development, and test engineering teams under agile methodologies. The environment emphasizes rigorous systems engineering, requirements traceability, and high‑quality test practices, supported by modern toolchains such as Linux platforms, scripting languages, version control, CI/CD, and issue‑tracking and documentation tools. The work is long‑term in nature, supporting a cornerstone element of an advanced simulations development contract, and offers the opportunity to contribute directly to critical national defense modeling and simulation capabilities.

This is a Contract position based out of Colorado Springs, CO.

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $55.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Colorado Springs,CO.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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