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Automation Engineer Contract Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Test Automation Engineer

Fairfax, VA ยท On-site

$47 - $62/hr

Duration: Long Term Contract Position Require a Secret Clearance The Test Automation Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated testing frameworks that ensure the ...

Contract personnel perform investigations to characterize the severity of breaches, develop ... The Data Automation Engineer will develop and implement automation solutions to support technology ...

Automation Engineer

Mclean, VA ยท On-site

$86K - $198K/yr

Automation Engineer The Opportunity: Work collaboratively with system analysts to devise and ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

GenAI Test Automation Engineer

Brentwood, MD

$46.50 - $61.25/hr

Karate (API testing, contract testing, data-driven testing) * Playwright (UI automation, selectors ... GitHub & DevOps * Strong experience with: * GitHub Copilot * GitHub Actions * CI/CD automation

GenAI Test Automation Engineer

Takoma Park, MD ยท On-site

$47.25 - $62.50/hr

Karate (API testing, contract testing, data-driven testing) * Playwright (UI automation, selectors ... GitHub & DevOps * Strong experience with: * GitHub Copilot * GitHub Actions * CI/CD automation

GenAI Test Automation Engineer

Rockville, MD ยท On-site

$47 - $62/hr

Karate (API testing, contract testing, data-driven testing) * Playwright (UI automation, selectors ... GitHub & DevOps * Strong experience with: * GitHub Copilot * GitHub Actions * CI/CD automation

GenAI Test Automation Engineer

Greenway, VA ยท On-site

$37.75 - $49.75/hr

Karate (API testing, contract testing, data-driven testing) * Playwright (UI automation, selectors ... GitHub & DevOps * Strong experience with: * GitHub Copilot * GitHub Actions * CI/CD automation

Showing results 21-40

Automation Engineer Contract information

See Washington salary details

$41.9K

$121.3K

$184.6K

How much do automation engineer contract jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for automation engineer contract in Washington is $121,331.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,000.00 and $139,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an automation engineer contract?

An Automation Engineer Contract job is a temporary or project-based role where professionals design, develop, and implement automated systems to improve efficiency in manufacturing, software development, or other industries. Contract automation engineers work for a set duration, often focusing on specific automation tasks such as scripting, robotics, or process optimization. They may collaborate with teams to troubleshoot issues, enhance existing automation, and ensure seamless integration with other systems. This type of role allows flexibility in employment while providing expertise in automation solutions.

What does an automation engineer contract do?

As a contract Automation Engineer, your daily tasks often include designing, programming, and testing automation systems, troubleshooting technical issues, and collaborating with onsite engineers or project managers. You may also be responsible for documentation, system integration, and ensuring that automated solutions meet specific client requirements. Since contract roles are often project-based, adaptability and the ability to quickly onboard with new teams are important. Work environments may vary from manufacturing floors to remote project sites, offering dynamic experiences and opportunities to work on diverse automation challenges.

What skills and qualifications are needed for an automation engineer contract?

To excel as an Automation Engineer Contract, you need a solid background in programming, control systems, and process automation, typically supported by an engineering degree and relevant industry experience. Familiarity with PLCs, SCADA systems, robotics, and certifications such as ISA/IEC 62443 are often required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate within cross-functional teams and adapt to project changes. These competencies are vital to deliver robust automation solutions on time and maintain high standards in dynamic contract-based environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Automation Engineer jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Automation Engineer jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Automation Engineer Contract jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Automation Engineer Contract job openings:

Infographic showing various Automation Engineer Contract job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 54% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 36% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $121,331 per year, or $58.3 per hour.

Test Automation Engineer

Hirekeyz Inc

Fairfax, VA โ€ข On-site

$47 - $62/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

Role: Test Automation Engineer

Location: Onsite- Fairfax, VA 3 Days and in Washington, DC 2 Days per Week.

Duration: Long Term Contract

Position Require a Secret Clearance

Job Description:

The Test Automation Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated testing frameworks that ensure the quality, reliability, and performance of DoD mission-critical applications. Position requires hands‑on experience with modern automation tools, strong scripting and programming skills, and a drive for improving test efficiency through automation and continuous integration practices. The role requires strong leadership abilities, hands‑on QA expertise, and experience managing test efforts for complex systems. Requires development experience to support test script creation, database queries, and performance load testing.

Primary Responsibilities: 

  • Lead the strategy, design, and maintenance of automated test suites for UI, API, regression, and smoke testing.
  • Develop, execute, and optimize automated tests using industry-standard tools such as Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, WebDriverIO.
  • Develop test scripts using Java, Python, Bash, PowerShell and other languages.
  • Write and execute complex SQL queries to validate data accuracy, perform backend testing, support ETL verification, and troubleshoot database-related defects.
  • Provide clear QA insights to Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and leadership teams.
  • Maintain high-quality documentation for test strategies, scripts, automation frameworks, and test results.
  • Solid understanding of CI/CD processes and build tools.
  • Support operations and sustainment activities.
  • All other duties as assigned by management.

Skills and Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a technical field
  • 10+ years in software engineering and testing
  • SME in automated testing and associated tools
  • 4+ years in agile software development methodologies
  • Strong scripting capabilities (Python, PowerShell, Bash) for automation and migration tasks.
  • Working knowledge of 508 accessibility standards
  • Testing experience in both websites and mobile applications
  • Program management and MS Office experience
  • Excellent communication and management skills.

Certifications Preferred:

  • International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB)
  • Certified Tester Foundation v4
  • Certified ScrumMaster

Security Clearance Requirements:

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Must have an active DoD Secret clearance.

Work Location:

  • 3 days in Fairfax, VA, 2 days in Washington, D.C.