Software Test Engineer

Job Title: Software Test Engineer IIJob Description

The Software Test Engineer II supports the development and validation of advanced software solutions used in scientific instrumentation, embedded systems, and hardware-integrated technology platforms. In this role, you design and execute comprehensive test strategies to ensure software quality, functionality, performance, and reliability. You work closely with software, firmware, systems, electrical, and mechanical engineering teams to validate complex products, drive test automation, and support the successful release of high-quality, industry-leading technologies. This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys solving technical challenges, improving product quality, and working at the intersection of software and hardware systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed test plans, test cases, test procedures, and verification protocols based on software requirements and system specifications.
• Participate in requirements, architecture, and design reviews to ensure quality and testability are built into products early in the development process.
• Establish verification and validation strategies for new product development and product enhancements.
• Execute functional, regression, integration, system, performance, and usability testing.
• Validate end-to-end workflows involving software, firmware, hardware, and system-level functionality.
• Perform testing across desktop applications, embedded systems, cloud-connected platforms, and instrument-control software.
• Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks and test scripts.
• Increase test coverage, repeatability, and efficiency through automation.
• Integrate automated testing into CI/CD pipelines and software development workflows.
• Support continuous improvement of automated verification infrastructure.
• Identify, document, prioritize, and track software defects throughout the development lifecycle.
• Collaborate with development teams to investigate failures and determine root causes.
• Verify corrective actions and ensure issues are resolved before release.
• Validate software performance, reliability, cybersecurity, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Support verification and validation activities by generating objective evidence and documentation.
• Assist with quality initiatives in regulated development environments when applicable.
• Develop and execute integrated hardware and software test strategies.
• Evaluate hardware interfaces, communication protocols, firmware interactions, and instrument-control functionality.
• Support laboratory and production test environments through system-level testing and troubleshooting.
• Analyze test results, quality trends, and product readiness metrics to inform release decisions.
• Generate reports and dashboards that communicate risks, defects, and release status to stakeholders.
• Provide accurate estimates for testing activities and contribute to project schedules.
• Drive improvements in test methodologies, automation strategies, quality processes, and defect management practices.
• Promote testing best practices throughout the engineering organization.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives and mentor junior team members as needed.
• Deliver comprehensive test coverage across software and integrated systems.
• Improve product quality through proactive defect identification and effective collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams.
• Contribute to scalable testing infrastructure and CI/CD adoption to support reliable releases.
• Help ensure reliable, high-quality product releases that meet customer and business expectations.

Essential Skills

• At least 5 years of experience in Software Quality Assurance, Software Test Engineering, Software Development, or a related field.
• Proven experience creating and executing software verification and validation plans.
• Hands-on experience developing and maintaining automated test frameworks.
• Strong understanding of software testing methodologies and best practices.
• Strong understanding of verification and validation (V&V) principles and processes.
• Strong understanding of defect tracking and root cause analysis techniques.
• Strong understanding of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).
• Experience working within Agile development practices.
• Programming experience with Python.
• Programming experience with C++.
• Programming experience with C#.
• Programming experience with Java.
• Programming experience with JavaScript.
• Experience using automated testing frameworks.
• Experience working in CI/CD environments and integrating tests into pipelines.
• Experience with test management tools for planning, execution, and reporting.
• Experience with requirements traceability to ensure complete test coverage.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience testing embedded software systems.
• Experience validating hardware and software integrated products.
• Familiarity with communication protocols and device interfaces.
• Experience working within regulated environments such as ISO 9001, other ISO standards, or FDA-regulated development.
• Knowledge of risk-based testing approaches.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity validation practices.
• Knowledge of test automation architecture and design.
• Knowledge of DevOps practices and their application to testing and automation.
• Experience with scientific instrumentation.
• Experience with data acquisition systems.
• Experience with industrial automation systems.
• Experience with spectroscopy, photonics, or optical systems.
• Master's degree in a related technical discipline.

Work Environment

The role operates in a collaborative engineering environment at the intersection of software and hardware, supporting scientific instrumentation, embedded systems, and hardware-integrated technology platforms. You work closely with software, firmware, systems, electrical, and mechanical engineers, contributing to both laboratory and production test environments. The position involves testing across desktop applications, embedded platforms, cloud-connected solutions, and instrument-control software, leveraging automated testing frameworks, CI/CD pipelines, test management tools, and requirements traceability systems. The environment emphasizes quality, continuous improvement, and adherence to regulated development practices where applicable, while promoting best practices in test automation, DevOps, and verification and validation.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Orlando, FL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $60.00/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Orlando,FL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 14, 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.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.