Software Test Automation Engineer w/ TS/SCI clearance

Description

The company needs a test automation engineer to support a mission-critical application for the NCE Testing Organization (NTO) in Springfield, Virginia.

The application is established, and the goal is to make its testing process more mature. You will work with developers and one existing tester to build the first automated testing framework, maintain regression tests, write strong test cases, and sharpen how software changes are checked.

You are a hands-on tester who can switch between manual and automated work, write and edit scripts, and build practical, repeatable testing habits. Experience bringing automation into a program that has little of it is especially valued.

This is a software quality and test automation role, not a general DevOps job.

Early goals: a workable starting point for automation that grows with the application and team, a regression suite that finds defects sooner and cuts manual effort, better test case quality, consistency, traceability, and documentation, closer teamwork with the existing tester and developers, and useful feedback that builds confidence in each release.

Responsibilities

• Set up an automated testing framework that fits the application's architecture and tech stack.
• Review current testing methods and find where automation, wider coverage, or less manual repetition would help.
• Build, run, and maintain automated regression tests that confirm existing features still work and catch side effects of code changes.
• Write clear, repeatable test cases from requirements, user stories, acceptance criteria, and expected behavior.
• Carry out functional, integration, end-to-end, and exploratory testing across the application's components.
• Write and maintain test scripts in suitable programming or scripting languages, using automation tools.
• Find ways to bring automated tests into the existing build, integration, and CI/CD workflows.
• Work with developers, product stakeholders, and the existing tester to set testing practices across the development lifecycle.
• Join Agile ceremonies, help with test planning and estimates, and raise testing needs early.
• Record test procedures, results, defects, and coverage in JIRA and Confluence.
• Track defects until they are resolved, verify fixes, and keep regression coverage for past issues.
• Support formal test events, including planning, configuration, execution, results analysis, and coordination with the customer's testing organization.
• Assess results, flag quality risks, and report findings and recommendations to the team.
• Run performance or load tests when needed to validate the application.
• Help configure, troubleshoot, and upgrade test environments as needed.

Requirements

• Active TS/SCI clearance with the required polygraph.
• Five or more years in software testing, quality assurance, test engineering, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience creating, running, and documenting test cases.
• Practical experience building or implementing automated tests in a programming or scripting language.
• Experience designing and running regression tests for software applications.
• Ability to turn requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria into solid test scenarios.
• Experience finding, documenting, tracking, and retesting software defects.
• Ability to work well with software developers and other technical team members.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work on-site five days per week in Springfield, Virginia.
• U.S. citizenship, as the position and customer environment require.
• A bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, information technology, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent relevant education and experience may be considered, subject to contract and customer requirements.
• Skills listed: automated testing, software testing, and writing test plans.
• No certifications are listed as required.
• Preferred: experience introducing automated testing into a program that relied mostly on manual testing.
• Preferred: experience building an initial automation framework or a maintainable automated regression suite.
• Preferred: familiarity with test automation frameworks such as Selenium, Playwright, Cypress, JUnit, pytest, or similar tools.
• Preferred: experience testing user interfaces, APIs, services, and backend components together.
• Preferred: experience integrating automated tests into an existing CI/CD pipeline.
• Preferred: familiarity with Linux, containerized applications, Kubernetes, or OpenShift.
• Preferred: experience with integration, end-to-end, performance, or load testing.
• Preferred: familiarity with Agile practices and tools such as JIRA and Confluence.
• Preferred: experience supporting government software testing organizations or formal customer test events.
• Preferred: industry certifications such as Security+, when the customer requires them.

Conditions

Full-time, 40 hours per week, onsite in Springfield, Virginia, five days per week in a classified environment. No travel is required.

You must currently hold a Top Secret/SCI clearance and be able to obtain Top Secret/SCI with a polygraph. No public trust or other clearance is required.

The likely salary is $113,900 to $154,100. Actual pay depends on experience, location, and possibly contract terms, and may fall outside this range. It is not a guarantee.

Hiring includes an identity check using biometrics and AI. Virtual interviews require you to be on camera, and the company may photograph you to verify identity. Proceeding means you consent to the use of your biometric data for verification and security.

Equal opportunity employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Benefits

• Medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, plus dental and vision plans.
• 401(k) with company match, with pre-tax and post-tax contributions up to IRS annual limits.
• Full flex work weeks where possible.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement, and jury duty leave.
• Short- and long-term disability, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness, and business travel accident insurance, provided or available.
• Wellness packages and an internal mobility team to help with career goals.
• An AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities.
• A military-friendly workplace with a culture of innovation.