Senior Software Automation Test Engineer

Spatial Front, Inc. (SFI),  a USAToday Top Workplaces awardee and Washington Top Workplaces honoree, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Software Automation Test Engineer to join our dynamic development team. In this role, you will lead the design, development, and implementation of robust automated testing framework architecture with strategic planning to ensure the highest quality of our software products.

As a Senior Engineer, you will work closely with developers, product managers, and business analysts right from the inception phase, championing Test-Driven Development (TDD) practices. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in Java, deep hands-on experience with Selenium and/or  Katalon Studio, and a proven track record of integrating automated test suites into GitLab CI/CD pipelines. 

• Framework & Test Development: Design, build, and maintain scalable, reusable automated test frameworks from scratch using Java, Selenium, and Katalon Studio.
• TDD & Architecture Support: Collaborate closely with development teams to support and advocate for Test-Driven Development (TDD), ensuring that testability is baked into the software design.
• Pipeline Integration: Integrate automated test suites into GitLab CI/CD pipelines to enable seamless nightly builds and continuous smoke/regression testing.
• Test Automation Execution: Convert manual test cases, user stories, and acceptance criteria into highly efficient, reliable automated test scripts.
• Defect Management: Identify, isolate, document, and track bugs thoroughly using tracking tools. Work hand-in-hand with developers to troubleshoot and verify fixes.
• Reporting: Create clear, metrics-driven test execution reports and dashboards for stakeholders to reflect product health and release readiness. 

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field, or equivalent 
• Experience: Minimum of 7 years of experience in software quality assurance, with at least 4 years dedicated strictly to automation.
• Core Automation Tools & Platforms
• Selenium/Katalin Studios: Deep expertise using Selenium for cross-browser and web application testing.
• GitLab: Strong proficiency with GitLab for version control, branching strategies, and configuring/troubleshooting GitLab CI/CD pipelines.
• Java: Strong object-oriented programming (OOP) skills in Java for writing robust and maintainable automation code.
• Test-Driven Development (TDD): Proven experience operating in a TDD environment using frameworks like JUnit
• API Testing: Proficient in testing RESTful and SOAP APIs using Katalon, Postman, or RestAssured.
• Database Skills: Solid understanding of SQL for database validation and test data setup.
• Soft Skills & Professional Experience
• Analytical Thinking: Sharp troubleshooting skills with the ability to pinpoint whether a failure is a script issue, environment defect, or application bug.
• Agile Mindset: Strong familiarity with Scrum/Agile ceremonies and the ability to pivot rapidly as requirements change.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical testing hurdles to non-technical stakeholders. 

Desired Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with cloud testing platforms (e.g., Sauce Labs, BrowserStack).
• Relevant QA certifications (e.g., ISTQB Advanced Level Test Automation Engineer)
• Experience with programming language: Python, JavaScript/TypeScript 

Additional Information:

• In order to meet the clearance requirements for this opportunity, candidates must be US Citizen and/or Current Green Card Holder.
• All candidates will be subject to a complete background check to include, but not limited to criminal and credit histories,; education, previous employment, and professional certification verifications; and fingerprinting. 
• Public Trust background investigations can take approximately four to eight weeks to complete.

Other Information:

• The salary for this position is $70,000 - $105,000 annually
• For information on SFI's benefits please visit http://www.spatialfront.com/pages/career.html
• This is a full-time W2 position. 
• Please no agencies, third parties, or corp-to-corp.
• Spatial Front Inc. is an Equal-opportunity Employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
• Spatial Front Inc. participates in E-Verify.