Job Description
Software Developer (Systems Software)
Application Deadline: 25 June 2026
Department: Data Analysis and Technology Services
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: McLean, VA
REQUIRED Active TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph
LOCATION: Full-time onsite in McLean, VA
We’re seeking a Software Developer who brings a strong testing mindset and hands‑on experience validating applications deployed across AWS services. In this role, you’ll design and execute test plans, build and maintain automated test suites, and integrate them into modern CI/CD pipelines. You’ll collaborate closely with developers and DevOps to isolate defects, reproduce complex issues, and ensure high‑quality releases. If you excel in test automation, cloud‑based application testing, and delivering reliable software in Agile environments, this role offers the impact and technical depth you’re looking for.
Who We Are:
We offer advanced services in data science, data engineering, software engineering, AI solutions, cybersecurity, staff augmentation, and IT program management.
Passionate Integrity, Driven by Excellence
Ardent Principles offers a competitive salary range and a comprehensive, industry‑leading benefits package designed to support long‑term stability and employee well‑being. We provide more than a position—we offer a workplace committed to excellence, integrity, and mission‑focused impact. Our mission is to act as a bridge between satisfied clients and fulfilled employees, ensuring that your job and well-being are our top priorities because your satisfaction leads to the success of our clients.
Join us as we continue building the future of secure, high‑impact solutions.
Key Responsibilities
In this challenging yet rewarding role, you are an integral part of what brings our Company's mission to life. You must have the following required skills, certifications and demonstrated experience in and/or with:
- Testing applications deployed on AWS (at least 1–2 major services such as EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, API Gateway, ECS/EKS, or CloudFront)
- Strong knowledge of QA fundamentals: test planning, test case design, defect lifecycle, regression testing, risk-based testing.
- Test automation experience using one or more frameworks/languages (e.g., Python + pytest, Java + JUnit/TestNG, JavaScript/TypeScript + Playwright/Cypress/Selenium).
- Writing and maintaining automated tests integrated into CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitHub Actions, Jenkins, GitLab CI, or AWS CodePipeline/CodeBuild).
- Version control (Git) and standard SDLC practices (Agile/Scrum).
- Strong defect isolation and debugging skills; can collaborate with developers/DevOps to reproduce issues and validate fixes.
Highly Desired Qualifications
Other skills and demonstrated experiences that are highly desired but not mandatory to perform the work, include:
- Testing distributed systems/microservices, including asynchronous/event-driven flows (e.g., SQS/SNS/EventBridge/Kinesis).
- Infrastructure-as-Code exposure (Terraform, AWS CloudFormation, AWS or CDK) and ability to validate deployments or config changes.
- Container platforms and orchestration (Docker, ECS, or EKS/Kubernetes) and testing containerized workloads.
- Testing APIs (REST/JSON) using tools such as Postman, curl, or similar; ability to validate status codes, payloads, headers, auth, and error handling.
- Logging or monitoring for troubleshooting test failures (e.g., CloudWatch logs/metrics; or Splunk/ELK).
- Performance and reliability testing experience (load/stress/soak) using tools such as k6, JMeter, Gatling, Locust; familiarity with scaling behaviors in AWS.
- Test data management in cloud environments (synthetic data, masking, seeding, or ephemeral environments).
- AWS certification (Cloud Practitioner, Developer Associate, SysOps Associate, or DevOps Engineer).
- Working with complex, high security, regulated environments.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Linux Operating Systems
- Working effectively in high-performing, cross-functional teams with multiple concurrent projects.
- Working directly with stakeholders to gather requirements, understand needs, and translate them into technical solutions with minimal oversight.
- Self-directed work with a strong ownership mentality and commitment to code quality, testing, and documentation.
- Context-switching between projects and systems as priorities demand.
What We Offer You
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Highly Competitive Salary Recognizing and rewarding your expertise and contributions.
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Generous Paid Time Off Providing ample time for rest, relaxation, and personal pursuits.
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Dedicated Training Budget Supporting continuous learning and professional development.
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100% Employer-Covered Family Vision, Dental, and Health Insurance Ensuring comprehensive health coverage for you and your family.
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100% Employer-Covered Life and Disability Insurance Offering financial security and peace of mind.
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401(k) Plan with a 6% Employer Match Helping you plan and save for a secure retirement, with 100% vesting from day one.
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11 Paid Government Holidays Observing national holidays to ensure time off with family and friends.
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Spot Bonuses for Exceptional Performance Rewarding outstanding contributions and achievements.
SCHEDULE:
This is a full-time position with consultants expected to be available and working onsite in McLean, VA during core hours.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Join us and be part of a team dedicated to driving positive change through technology. Apply now with our easy 3-minute, mobile-friendly initial application process. Your future starts here!
