Among software quality assurance analysts and testers, AI is already used for a large share of the tasks. Measured exposure for software quality assurance analysts and testers: 52% (high).

Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.

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Leidos has filed 4 layoff notices in the last twelve months, covering 404 workers, most recently September 2026. These are public filings with state labor departments, and an open role can sit alongside them. See the filings

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About the job

Leidos is dedicated to making the world a safer place. This starts with helping our customers in the Defense Industry achieve their critical missions. Our dedicated Defense Group employees are solving critical challenges across the globe. At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business. With offices across the United States engaging in the defense, space, cyber and commercial fields, Leidos provides responsive, cost-effective engineering, scientific and IT solutions. Leidos is well known for our people-oriented culture, positive work environment, technical excellence, and resilient business ethics.

Within the Defense Sector, the Kinetic Effects Business Area at Leidos currently has an opening for a talented Senior Aviation Software Test Engineer to work onsite in our Huntsville office. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience to help test and develop software for tactical strike, sensors, CUAS, and UAS solutions.

This position focuses on automated testing, development of robust, innovative software test infrastructures and frameworks, integration testing, informal manual testing, formal software qualification testing, fielding and support, and maintenance of software products. Software products range from analysis tools/simulations, mission planning software, and components of mission-critical systems.

Primary Responsibilities

Direct participation as an integral team member who performs key roles with respect to test planning, test strategy and design, test execution, software engineering processes, and recommendations on product quality.

Reviewing, editing, and generating various documents used for engineering and testing purposes per industry standards.

Developing automated scripts in Linux and Windows for a variety of applications.

Perform as part of an agile software team for tasking and progress reporting.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mathematics, or equivalent technical degree.

At least 12 years of prior relevant technical experience with BS degree or at least 10 years with MS degree.

At least 3 years of relevant leadership experience leading teams.

Recent experience with software development and/or writing software test scripts using one of the following Object-Oriented Programming languages: C++, Python, or Java.

Experience in both manual and automated test tools and techniques.

Aptitude for the technical skills required for software test, configuration management, and software quality engineering concepts.

Experience developing test methods and procedures for software products using scripting and/or compiled languages.

Working knowledge of Windows and Linux operating systems.

Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Good communication skills.

Resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville - North Alabama, AL area.

US Citizenship is required and ability to obtain and maintain and DoD Secret clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience writing user interface (UI) tests with automated UI testing technologies.

Experience writing software in compliance with applicable industry safety and cyber standards (MIL-STD-882E, DISA STIGs).

Candidate is expected to accept constructive feedback from more senior software team members.

The ability to work across multiple products under development by multiple small teams.

Experience with Agentic AI coding tools.

Experience with designing and implementing software solutions for embedded systems and applications.

Experience with creating and managing database architectures using object-oriented implementation principles.

Experience with configuring and optimizing software with Ubuntu 22.04 environments.

AppKinetic

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.

Original Posting: September 9, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range: Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

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