Mission of the Role

The mission of the Software Quality Assurance (SQA) & Systems Test Engineer is to ensure the quality, reliability, and performance of Clear Align's advanced EO/IR imaging, sensing, and embedded systems through comprehensive verification, validation, and test activities. This role bridges software quality assurance, systems engineering, and hardware/software integration by developing test strategies, executing verification activities, and ensuring products meet customer, regulatory, and mission requirements throughout the product lifecycle.

In Your First Year You Will (What Success Looks Like)

0–90 Days — Product Familiarization & Test Infrastructure

• Learn Clear Align's product portfolio, system architectures, and development processes.
• Review system requirements, interface control documents, and existing test procedures.
• Become proficient with software development, issue tracking, and configuration management tools.
• Support execution of software, hardware, and system-level test activities.
• Assist in troubleshooting software defects and system integration issues.
• Develop an understanding of customer requirements and qualification standards.
• Establish familiarity with laboratory test equipment and environmental test procedures.

By 6 Months — Independent Verification & Validation

• Develop and execute software verification and system-level test plans.
• Create and maintain test procedures, test reports, and traceability matrices.
• Design automated and manual test cases for embedded software and integrated systems.
• Support hardware/software integration and qualification testing efforts.
• Participate in requirements reviews, design reviews, and root-cause investigations.
• Track defects and verify corrective actions through closure.
• Support production acceptance testing and field issue investigations.

By 12 Months — Technical Leadership & Product Quality Ownership

• Own verification and validation activities for major subsystems or products.
• Develop comprehensive test strategies covering software, hardware, and system requirements.
• Improve test automation, regression testing, and defect detection processes.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians in test methodologies and best practices.
• Lead failure investigations and corrective action efforts.
• Support customer demonstrations, qualification programs, and fielded product troubleshooting.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that increase product quality and reliability.

How You Know You Are Winning

• System requirements are fully verified with documented traceability.
• Software and system defects are identified early and resolved efficiently.
• Test procedures are repeatable, comprehensive, and maintainable.
• Products consistently meet performance, reliability, and customer requirements.
• Engineering teams rely on your test results and quality assessments for critical decisions.
• Automated testing coverage and efficiency continue to improve.
• Qualification and acceptance testing are completed successfully with minimal rework.

Who You Are (Core Strengths & Competencies)

• Strong systems thinker with an investigative mindset.
• Detail-oriented and disciplined in test execution and documentation.
• Effective communicator across software, electrical, mechanical, optical, and systems engineering teams.
• Analytical problem solver with strong troubleshooting skills.
• Passionate advocate for product quality and mission success.
• Organized and capable of managing multiple test efforts simultaneously.
• Comfortable working in laboratory and field test environments.

Must-Have Qualifications

• BS or MS degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical field.
• Professional experience in Software Quality Assurance, Systems Engineering, Test Engineering, or Verification & Validation.
• Experience developing and executing test plans, procedures, and reports.
• Experience testing embedded software and hardware-integrated systems.
• Familiarity with requirements management and requirements verification.
• Experience using issue tracking and configuration management tools.
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
• Proficiency with Python or other scripting languages for test automation.
• U.S. Person with eligibility for a DoD security clearance.

Preferred Extras

• Experience with EO/IR imaging systems, sensors, or aerospace/defense products.
• Familiarity with environmental qualification testing (temperature, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC).
• Experience with Linux-based embedded systems.
• Experience with automated test frameworks and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing.
• Familiarity with FPGA-based systems and high-speed digital interfaces.
• Experience with requirements management tools such as IBM DOORS, Jama, or equivalent.
• Understanding of systems engineering processes and model-based development practices.

Why Clear Align

Clear Align is a global leader in AI-enabled and networked EO/IR imaging systems for mission-critical aerospace and defense applications. Our capabilities span optical fabrication, coatings, infrared and visible camera manufacturing, sensor integration, and AI-enabled video processing. We develop advanced technologies that support critical missions worldwide, and quality is fundamental to everything we deliver.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Systems Engineering: 3 years (Required)
• Test Engineering: 3 years (Required)
• Software Quality Assurance : 3 years (Required)

Work Location: In person