Overview

Primary Responsibilities

• Test Planning and Strategy Development: Design comprehensive software test plans and strategies tailored to CBP’s operational requirements. Collaborate with stakeholders to determine acceptance criteria, test objectives, and risk priorities.
• Requirements Analysis: Work closely with business analysts, systems engineers, and CBP end-users to interpret and clarify functional and non-functional requirements. Ensure traceability from requirements to test cases.
• Test Case Design and Execution: Develop, implement, and manage detailed test cases covering functional, regression, integration, system, performance, and security testing. Execute manual and automated tests, document results, and report anomalies in a clear, timely manner.
• Defect Tracking and Resolution: Identify, log, and monitor software defects. Collaborate with development teams to prioritize and resolve issues, ensuring that fixes are verified and validated before deployment.
• Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Support automated testing within CI/CD pipelines using tools such as Jenkins, GitLab CI, or Azure DevOps. Validate builds and releases in accordance with CBP software delivery requirements.
• Security and Compliance Testing: Execute security testing protocols to ensure systems comply with CBP, DHS, and federal cybersecurity standards (FISMA, NIST, etc.). Conduct vulnerability assessments, penetration tests, and report findings to stakeholders.
• Performance and Scalability Evaluation: Assess application performance under various load conditions. Use specialized tools (e.g., LoadRunner, JMeter) to evaluate throughput, latency, and resource utilization.
• Documentation and Reporting: Prepare and maintain detailed test documentation, test summary reports, and evaluation memos for CBP program managers and auditors. Ensure all testing artifacts adhere to CBP quality assurance guidelines.
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Coordinate UAT with CBP stakeholders, facilitating demonstrations and gathering end-user feedback for final acceptance of software deliverables.
• Collaboration and Communication: Communicate results and recommendations effectively to technical and non-technical audiences. Participate in integrated project teams and working groups throughout the software development lifecycle.

Preferred Qualifications

• CBP Experience: Prior experience working with or for CBP, including knowledge of CBP-specific workflows, data types, and operational priorities.
• CBP BI or TS1 Clearance: Active or current CBP Background Investigation (BI) or TS1 (Tier 1) clearance, ensuring eligibility to access sensitive CBP systems and data.
• Technical Knowledge: Proficiency in software quality assurance, testing methodologies, and evaluation techniques. Experience with both manual and automated testing tools and frameworks.
• Security Expertise: Familiarity with federal information security standards and compliance frameworks. Ability to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in mission-critical applications.
• Programming Skills: Working knowledge of programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, C#, JavaScript) to develop automated test scripts and analyze code for quality assurance purposes.
• Agile and Waterfall Methodologies: Experience working in Agile/Scrum and Waterfall environments, adapting test processes to evolving project needs.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to diagnose complex issues in large-scale, distributed systems.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or related discipline. Advanced degrees and industry certifications (e.g., ISTQB, CSTE, CISSP) are advantageous.

Key Competencies

• Attention to Detail: Ability to meticulously design, execute, and document tests, ensuring completeness and accuracy under tight deadlines.
• Initiative and Independence: Capable of working autonomously while proactively identifying issues and advocating for process improvements.
• Teamwork: Strong interpersonal skills, with a history of collaborating with development, DevOps, cybersecurity, and program management teams.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in fast-paced, high-security environments where requirements and priorities may shift quickly.
• Ethics and Integrity: Unwavering commitment to protecting sensitive information and following CBP’s ethical standards.

Typical Duties and Deliverables

• Developing and maintaining test scripts, automated test suites, and testing tools.
• Executing test plans for new releases, patches, and hotfixes in CBP production and staging environments.
• Tracking and managing defects, maintaining up-to-date logs and dashboards.
• Preparing test summary reports, metrics, and recommendations for CBP leadership.
• Conducting code reviews and static analysis as part of comprehensive evaluation.
• Contributing to lessons-learned sessions and continuous improvement initiatives.

Security and Clearance Requirements

• Applicants must hold, or be eligible to obtain, a CBP BI or TS1 clearance prior to accessing CBP networks, systems, or data.
• Must adhere to all CBP, DHS, and federal security protocols and guidelines.
• Responsible for reporting suspected security incidents or violations in accordance with CBP policies.

Work Environment and Conditions

• Most work is performed in secure federal facilities or remotely via federally approved platforms.
• Position may require occasional travel to CBP sites, ports of entry, or other secure locations for software deployment and acceptance testing.
• Flexible work arrangements are possible, subject to CBP policy and program needs.