CI/CD Test Automation Lead (PMA-281) - AM Pierce and Associates

Who We Are: AM Pierce & Associates and Applied Technologies Group (ATG), a wholly owned subsidiary of AM Pierce and Associates, is a woman-owned small business providing Engineering & Research, Cyber, C5ISR, Program & Acquisition Management services and solutions to a diverse government and industry client base. We are a stable and growing company who offers our employees a rich benefits package, supportive and flexible work environment, and the opportunity to work with experts in their field.

The Position: We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled CI/CD Test Automation Lead to spearhead our test automation initiatives within the Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.

Salary: The estimated salary range for this position is $180,000 - $205,000 annually, based upon an individual's level of experience, skillset, and education. The range that is given is an estimate and may vary based on contractual constraints. At AM Pierce & Associates, it is our goal to provide equitable compensation to all employees.

The Location: Patuxent River, MD

The Work Environment: On-Site

The Description:

The successful candidate will collaborate closely with the Deputy Program Manager and other key stakeholders to develop and implement robust test automation strategies that align with the DoD Software Modernization Strategy and the DoD CIO DevOps Strategy. This role is pivotal in ensuring the quality, reliability, and efficiency of our software modernization efforts for PMA-281.

Other duties/responsibilities include:

1. Test Automation Strategy Development

• Design and Implement Automation Frameworks:
  • Develop scalable and maintainable test automation frameworks using industry-standard tools (e.g., Selenium, Cypress, TestNG).
  • Ensure frameworks are compatible with CI/CD pipelines and support various testing types (unit, integration, system, performance).
• Align with DoD Strategies:
  • Ensure test automation strategies comply with the DoD Software Modernization Strategy and DoD CIO DevOps Strategy, including relevant guidebooks and DevOps reference implementations.

1. CI/CD Pipeline Integration

• Pipeline Configuration and Optimization:
  • Integrate automated tests into CI/CD pipelines using platforms like Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, Azure DevOps, or similar tools.
  • Optimize pipeline performance to support parallel testing, reduce build times, and ensure reliable deployments.
• Continuous Testing Implementation:
  • Establish continuous testing practices to facilitate early detection of defects and ensure high-quality code releases.

1. Leadership and Team Management

• Lead and Mentor Automation Engineers:
  • Guide a team of automation engineers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence.
  • Provide training and support to team members on best practices in test automation and CI/CD integration.
• Project Management:
  • Manage test automation projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and meet quality standards.
  • Allocate resources effectively to optimize test automation efforts across multiple teams.

1. Technical Consulting and Collaboration

• Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams:
  • Work closely with development, DevOps, and product teams to ensure seamless integration of test automation within the software development lifecycle.
  • Provide technical consulting to product lines on best practices in test automation, CI/CD, and quality assurance.
• Develop Analytical Frameworks:
  • Create frameworks for assessing the effectiveness of test automation, ROI calculations, and impact analysis on the CI/CD pipeline.

1. Monitoring, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement

• Implement Monitoring Solutions:
  • Utilize tools like Prometheus, Grafana, or ELK Stack to monitor test executions and analyze logs for troubleshooting.
• Reporting and Metrics:
  • Develop comprehensive reports and dashboards to communicate test results, coverage, and quality metrics to stakeholders.
  • Define and monitor key quality metrics to assess and improve test automation efforts continuously.

1. Education and Advocacy

• Promote DevOps and Test Automation Practices:
  • Educate team members and stakeholders on DevOps principles, test automation strategies, software factories, cybersecurity measures, and Continuous Authorization to Operate (cATO).
  • Advocate for best practices and continuous improvement within the software development and deployment processes.

Education & Experience:

• Active DoD Secret Clearance, required.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field. Advanced degrees are a plus.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years in software development, integration, automated testing, monitoring, and deployment within CI/CD pipelines.
• Proven experience leading software integration initiatives and managing large-scale IT transformation projects, preferably within the DoD or similar federal agencies.
• Strong understanding of DoD software modernization strategies and the DoD CIO DevOps Strategy.

Desired Skillset:

Technical Skills:

• Test Automation Tools: Proficiency with tools like Selenium, Cypress, TestNG, JUnit, Appium, or similar.
• CI/CD Platforms: Expertise with Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, Azure DevOps, CircleCI, or equivalent.
• Programming Languages: Strong coding skills in languages such as Python, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, or C#.
• Version Control: Proficiency with Git and platforms like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket.
• Containerization: Experience with Docker and Kubernetes for managing test environments.
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Familiarity with Terraform, Ansible, or similar tools.
• Monitoring and Logging: Knowledge of Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack, or equivalent.
• Security and Performance Testing: Experience with OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, JMeter, Gatling, or similar tools.

Soft Skills:

• Leadership: Strong ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a team of integration engineers.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of conveying complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Problem-Solving: Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities to identify and address challenges within the CI/CD pipeline.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and foster a collaborative environment.
• Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred:

Certifications:

• Certified DevOps Engineer (CDE), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), PMP, ISTQB Advanced Test Automation Engineer, or equivalent certifications.
• Certifications in cybersecurity (e.g., CISSP, CISM) are advantageous.

Technical Proficiency:

• Experience with software factories, cybersecurity frameworks, and Continuous Authorization to Operate (cATO) processes.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

Additional Experience:

• Previous roles within PMA-281 or similar DoD programs.
• Experience in developing and implementing analytical frameworks for software assessment and modernization.

Travel:

• On some occasions, the employee may be required to drive to offices or buildings near the work site. In rare occasions, travel may be required.

AM Pierce & Associates, as well as its subsidiaries, invests in its employees beyond just compensation. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. AM Pierce & Associates, as well as its subsidiaries, also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life and Accidental Death & Disability Coverage
• Traditional 401(k) and ROTH 401k Retirement Plans
• Discretionary Profit-Sharing Program
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Incentive Programs, Awards and Recognition
• Employee Assistance Program
• Will Preparation
• Identity Theft Protection & Legal Support
• Referral Program
• Voluntary Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Coverage
• Pet Insurance
• Norton Life Lock
• HSA and FSA plans

The specific program and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, Full or Part-time status, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

For all positions requiring access to technology/software source code that is subject to export control laws, employment with the company is contingent on either verifying U.S.-person status or obtaining any necessary license. The applicant will be required to answer certain questions for export control purposes, and that information will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law. AM Pierce & Associates, as well as its subsidiaries may choose not to apply for a license for such individuals whose access to export-controlled technology or software source code may require authorization and may decline to proceed with an applicant on that basis alone.

AM Pierce & Associates, as well as its subsidiaries, complies with all Federal and State laws and regulations concerning Affirmative action and workplace equal opportunity. In further detail, AM Pierce & Associates, as well as its subsidiaries, does not discriminate in employment decisions (to include applicants and employees) based on race, color, religion, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. AM Pierce & Associates, as well as its subsidiaries, takes affirmative action to ensure that equal opportunity is provided in all aspects of employment. AM Pierce & Associates, as well as its subsidiaries, does not take adverse employment actions against applicants and employees for asking about, discussing, or sharing information about their pay or the pay of their co-workers.

If you require reasonable accommodations to apply for a position with AM Pierce & Associates, as well as its subsidiaries, through its online applicant system, please contact AM Pierce & Associates Human Resources Department at (240) 718-3800 or email us at hr@ampierce.com.

If your background meets the qualifications of the position, please submit your resume and salary requirements to careers@ampierce.com or submit an application online.

AM Pierce & Associates, as well as its subsidiaries, verifies employment eligibility through E-Verify.

This is a non-management position.