Senior Test & Evaluation (T&E) Lead - DoD / DevSecOps

Title:

Testing Services Assistant Director

Function:

Program Executive Office (PEO), Defense Healthcare Medical Systems (DHMS)

Location:

In-person (DMV) ideal, some remote work possible

Reports to:

T&E day-to-day lead

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are looking for a Testing Services Assistant Director to work closely with the Testing Services Director and other senior software testing leadership and software test platform leaders to ensure projects are progressing to plan, key metrics are being reported and to drive operational efficiency.

This person should proactively drive work independently in alignment with broader strategic guidance, anticipate challenges, accurately prioritize responsibilities, and develop actionable, solution-oriented recommendations in close collaboration with stakeholders. This role will work closely with other contracted members of BCG’s team and subcontracted resources. As the needs of the contract change, this role will also evolve. Some highlights of the job duties include the following. This role requires a proactive, solutions-oriented individual who takes initiative, anticipates challenges, and works closely with clients and stakeholders to drive outcomes.

Support strategic management of team tasks – Help the Testing Services Director maintain a high-level comprehensive view of all key tasks and asks across the leadership team and provide reminders to team to ensure completion. Help escalate and resolve cross-team roadblocks. Understand technical details to ensure strategies are achievable, and proactively identify and solve challenges before they impact delivery

Provide Subject Matter Expertise – Consult with development, security, operations, and business leadership to ensure the best possible outcomes for the organization. Provide insights on the impact of key decisions to test’s ability to support success. Share subject matter expertise on testing best practices, test automation implementation, and trade offs throughout testing lifecycle. Consult with test leadership on how to optimize outcomes by improving processes, environments, deployment of resources, etc. Act as a trusted partner to client stakeholders, working collaboratively to solve problems and align testing outcomes with broader program goals.

Drive change and implementation of best practices – Articulate best-practices for test in Agile and/or DevSecOps environments and drive organization to adoption of practices. Work through implementation challenges drawing from direct experience bringing organizations from poor test practices into modern, best practices.

Enforce documented processes – Ensure that individuals (team, vendors, government) are following processes as documented. Determine root cause and work with platform leads to implement corrective actions, including providing process training.

Evolve with the role – As the team continues to improve and the need for active management decreases, the role will also evolve to address new needs. Motivated to learn on-the-job as the role progresses, specifically in the context of implementing and guiding testing in relation to DevSecOps best practices.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategically manage team tasks and direction – Hold ultimate accountability for success of team tasks, including

·       Support development and maintenance of test strategies and plans

·       Lead core meetings (e.g., Working Integrated Program Teams, scrums, etc.)

·       Allocate resources among different business units

·       Use information from reports and test results to change operations

·       Drive test automation and modernization efforts

·       Support introduction of new tools and techniques that are aligned with the strategic testing program

Provide Subject Matter Expertise – Collaborate closely with stakeholders and provide actionable input on topics of

·       Test strategy development in a DoD context

·       Implementation of test strategies, procedures, and requirements

·       Best-practice test processes

·       Effects of decisions made by development, operations, business, and security

·       Test environments

·       Test automation, including CI/CD pipeline

·       Test scheduling & management

·       Engage in system architecture conversations and possess the ability to understand architecture diagrams and data flows (E.g., relevant DoDAF Viewpoint models, especially SV-1 and SV-2 diagrams)

Drive change and implementation of best practices – Articulate best-practices for test in Agile and/or DevSecOps environments and drive organization to adoption of practices

Work across development and operations functions to coordinate change efforts

Make and advocate case for change with all stakeholders

Develop specific implementation plans and ensure they’re executed properly

Drive execution of agreed upon testing strategy

Provide experience-based feedback on how to best approach best-practice implementation challenges

Enforce documented processes – Ensure quality process reviews are being performed and conformance issues are being addressed

·       Ensure the team adheres to processes as documented, proactively addressing gaps and driving resolution when issues arise

·       Lead root cause analysis and resolution of process and schedule conformance issues

Evolve with the role – Ability to engage in new activities as the team matures and process knowledge and execution evolve

·       Be willing to take on new responsibilities within the T&E function

·       Participate in defining measurement systems for new activities

·       Facilitate continuous process improvement with platform leads and team members

Perform-specific projects and/or other duties as assigned or required.

BASIC JOB QUALIFICATION PREFERENCES

·       15+ years professional experience in SDLC

·       10+ years experience in Software testing / quality assurance

·       Direct experience successfully driving one or more organizations from poor or outdated test practices to modern test practices, including adoption of Agile and/or DevSecOps practices

·       Familiarity with software testing, testing strategy, and test automation in a DevSecOps agile environment

·       Understanding of test infrastructure, system architecture

·       Experience contributing to engineering discussions around technology decisions and strategy related to system architecture, data exchanges, and testing

·       Must be a US citizen and able to receive a Public Trust

PREFERRED JOB QUALIFICATION PREFERENCES

·       Undergraduate and/or graduate degree in STEM (preferably in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or similarly technical field; graduate degrees preferred)

·       ISTQB Certified (preferably in Strategic Test Management and Operational Test Management; certification in Assessing Test Processes and Implementing Test Process Improvement also preferred)

·       Experience in Acquisitions & Testing in the Department of Defense, including experience with programs following Adaptive Acquisition Framework

·   Working knowledge of testing requirements and documentation needed in the DoD, especially for paths 5000.75, 5000.87, and 5000.74

·       Defense Acquisition University Test & Evaluation training and/or Certification preferred

·       Existing Public Trust or security clearance with the DoD

DESIRED TOOLS EXPERIENCE

·       Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, PowerPoint, and Word

·       Experience with JIRA, Zephyr, Xray, Git Integration, GitHub, IBM Jazz, and JAWS

·       Familiarity with automation tools, especially UFT and UI Path

·       Experience working with a variety of test / preproduction environments

·       Familiarity with XML, SQL, Tableau, and PowerBI (C# or JavaScript, preferred)

KEY COMPETENCIES

·       Strong self-starter with the ability to work independently, take initiative, anticipate needs, and proactively drive work to completion

·       Meticulous attention to detail and follow-through on requests and deadlines

·       Knowledge of or ability to quickly understand the complexities of a testing organization and apply the knowledge to day-to-day work

·       Strong, proactive problem-solving and consensus-building skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive solutions

·       Data-driven and analytical

·       Ability to multi-task and contribute to many projects in various stages of development across multiple programs

·       Excellent executive-level verbal and written communication skills; capable of tailoring messages in a clear, concise, unambiguous, engaging, and convincing manner

·       Recognize and maintain highest levels of confidentiality  

·       Flexible, positive team player; outstanding customer service orientation  

·       Ability to handle difficult situations with poise, tact and exhibit good judgment