Quality Engineer

About Pixels On Target

Pixels On Target is a non-traditional defense contractor building technology for customers in MIL/GOV/LE. We move fast like a commercial team, while meeting the security and compliance expectations that come with supporting our customers.

ROLE PURPOSE & QMS OBJECTIVE

The Software QA Engineer plans and executes testing to verify that Pixels on Target's thermal optics software is reliable, safe and built to company and customer standards. The role directly supports the QMS by catching defects before release, documenting objective evidence of conformance, and feeding risk and nonconformance data into continual improvement. Its work protects customer satisfaction by ensuring every software release meets defined requirements for performance and reliability in demanding defense environments.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & AUTHORITIES

Responsibilities

• Test planning and execution: Write test plans, cases and procedures from software requirements; run functional, regression, integration and system tests on embedded and application software.
• Risk analysis: Take part in risk analyses (e.g., FMEA) for new and existing products to identify potential software and process failures, and verify that mitigations work.
• Defect management: Log, track and verify resolution of software defects; work with developers to find root causes and confirm fixes.
• Requirements traceability: Maintain traceability between requirements, tests and results so every release has objective evidence of conformance.
• Process compliance: Follow and help improve QA processes, checklists and work instructions; flag gaps against company standards.
• Product and process reviews: Review existing software products and processes and recommend practical improvements to quality and reliability.
• Test automation: Build and maintain automated tests where they add coverage or save effort.
• Cross-functional support: Work with engineering, production and customer-facing teams so customer requirements are understood and met.
• Records: Keep accurate, controlled QA records per the document control procedure.

Authorities

• Hold or reject a software build that fails defined acceptance criteria, and escalate to the Software Quality Assurance Lead.
• Open nonconformance reports and request corrective action (CAPA) for software defects or process deviations.
• Request clarification or rework of unclear or untestable requirements before testing begins.

COMPETENCY & QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience Required: 5+ years in software quality assurance or software testing.
• Preferred Experience: Medical device (IEC 62304 / ISO 13485) or military/defense software environments.
• Required Skills: Test planning and case design; defect tracking tools (e.g., Jira); requirements traceability; working knowledge of risk analysis methods such as FMEA.
• Preferred Skills: Test automation (e.g., Python, Selenium or similar); embedded or hardware-in-the-loop testing; ISO 9001 familiarity.
• Soft Skills: Clear written and verbal communication; strong organization; works well under pressure across many tasks.
• Certifications (preferred): ISTQB Foundation or ASQ Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE).
• Mandatory Training Requirements: Completed and recorded before working independently:
• QMS orientation (ISO 9001 overview, quality policy and objectives)
• Document control and records procedure
• Nonconformance and CAPA procedure
• ITAR / export control awareness
• Information security and data handling
• Site safety orientation

PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The requirements below are essential functions of the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform them.

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• On-site work in office and engineering lab environments, including handling thermal optics test hardware.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times (test equipment and units under test).
• Close visual work on screens, displays and small components.
• Occasional exposure to lab conditions such as equipment noise and controlled temperature testing.

What Pixels On Target offers

• Health insurance: Florida Blue medical (50% employer-paid, nationwide network), plus Principal dental and vision (employee-paid)
• Retirement: 401(k) with company match, managed through ADP (Fidelity)
• Time off: 10 days (80 hours) of PTO and 6 days (48 hours) of sick leave per year
• Employee assistance program: Confidential counseling and resources through Mutual of Omaha
• Discounts: Free employee discount program through Perks at Work
• Real ownership of a system that's central to the product, and room to shape how we scale it.