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Automation Test Engineer Contract Jobs in Virginia

The Automation Engineer will participate in software testing, creation and implementation of Test Strategies, Plans, and Automated Test Scripts as well as other aspects of the software development ...

The Automation Engineer will participate in software testing, creation and implementation of Test Strategies, Plans, and Automated Test Scripts as well as other aspects of the software development ...

Test Engineer

Vienna, VA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Will provide functional and automation testing of features and capabilities of system applications ... Work with other Test Engineer contract staff related to cross-training and knowledge sharing ...

Test Engineer

Vienna, VA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Will provide functional and automation testing of features and capabilities of system applications ... Work with other Test Engineer contract staff related to cross-training and knowledge sharing ...

Automated Test Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$48 - $63.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Test), Automation Test Analyst, Performance Test Engineer, Continuous Integration Engineer, DevOps Tester, etc. ALTERNATE EXPERIENCE General comment on degrees: Most contracts allow additional ...

Automated Test Engineer

Tysons, VA · On-site

$46.25 - $61/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Test), Automation Test Analyst, Performance Test Engineer, Continuous Integration Engineer, DevOps Tester, etc. ALTERNATE EXPERIENCE General comment on degrees: Most contracts allow additional ...

Test Engineer

Vienna, VA · On-site

$105K - $135K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Will provide functional and automation testing of features and capabilities of system applications ... Work with other Test Engineer contract staff related to cross-training and knowledge sharing ...

Test Engineer

Vienna, VA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Will provide functional and automation testing of features and capabilities of system applications ... Work with other Test Engineer contract staff related to cross-training and knowledge sharing ...

Test Engineer

Vienna, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Will provide functional and automation testing of features and capabilities of system applications ... Work with other Test Engineer contract staff related to cross-training and knowledge sharing ...

Automated Test Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$47.50 - $62.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Test), Automation Test Analyst, Performance Test Engineer, Continuous Integration Engineer, DevOps Tester, etc. ALTERNATE EXPERIENCE General comment on degrees: Most contracts allow additional ...

Test Engineer

Vienna, VA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Will provide functional and automation testing of features and capabilities of system applications ... Work with other Test Engineer contract staff related to cross-training and knowledge sharing ...

Automation Test Engineer, Senior

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$99 - $225/hr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Automation Test Engineer, Senior The Opportunity: At a certain point, experience-based system ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Showing results 21-40

Automation Test Engineer Contract information

See Virginia salary details

$10

$50

$74

How much do automation test engineer contract jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for automation test engineer contract in Virginia is $50.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.85 and $57.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an automation test engineer contract?

Automation Test Engineer contracts are temporary work agreements where professionals are hired to design, develop, and execute automated tests for software applications. These contracts typically span a set period and focus on improving software quality, efficiency, and reliability by automating repetitive testing tasks. Contractors may work with various tools and frameworks, collaborate with development teams, and create detailed test reports. Such roles are ideal for companies seeking specialized testing expertise without committing to permanent hires.

What are some common challenges automation test engineers face when working on contract assignments?

As a contract Automation Test Engineer, you may encounter challenges such as quickly adapting to new teams, tools, and project requirements. Contract roles often require you to become productive in a short time frame, so strong communication and self-management skills are important. Additionally, you might need to work with varied automation frameworks and integrate your work with existing systems, which can present technical and organizational hurdles. Building rapport with permanent staff and demonstrating your expertise early on can help you overcome these challenges and succeed in the role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an automation test engineer on contract, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Automation Test Engineer on contract, you typically need strong programming skills (such as in Java, Python, or JavaScript), experience with testing frameworks, and a background in software quality assurance. Familiarity with tools like Selenium, Jenkins, JUnit, and CI/CD systems, as well as relevant certifications (e.g., ISTQB), is highly valued. Excellent problem-solving, adaptability, and effective communication help contractors quickly integrate into teams and address changing project needs. These skills ensure efficient, high-quality test automation solutions that meet fast-paced project requirements.

What is the difference between Automation Test Engineer Contract vs QA Tester Contract?

AspectAutomation Test Engineer ContractQA Tester Contract
Required CredentialsCertifications in automation tools (e.g., Selenium, QTP), programming skillsBasic testing certifications (e.g., ISTQB), testing methodologies
Work EnvironmentFocus on automation frameworks, scripting, and tool developmentManual testing, test case execution, defect reporting
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in software development, IT, and tech companies for automated testingCommon across various industries for manual quality assurance

Automation Test Engineer Contract roles typically require automation tool expertise and scripting skills, focusing on developing automated tests. QA Tester Contract roles mainly involve manual testing and test case execution. Both roles are essential in quality assurance but differ in technical focus and responsibilities.

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

The most popular types of Automation Test Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Automation Test Engineer Contract jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Automation Test Engineer Contract job openings:

$47 - $62/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


SAIC rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

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Job description


SAIC is seeking a motivated and energetic senior level QA Automation Engineer to join our team to begin an exciting and challenging career in Ashburn, VA.
The Automation Engineer will participate in software testing, creation and implementation of Test Strategies, Plans, and Automated Test Scripts as well as other aspects of the software development lifecycle. The candidate will be responsible for developing and testing Java code as dictated by project requirement.
This position is hybrid-remote and requires 2 days on-site per week in Ashburn, VA.
Job Responsibilities -
  • Design and execute tests: Create and implement automated test scripts to verify software functionality, security, and usability.
  • Write test plans: Develop detailed test plans and test cases, often using test management tools.
  • Report and manage defects: Report bugs and work with developers to troubleshoot issues and ensure fixes meet quality requirements.
  • Collaborate with teams: Work closely with development and DevOps teams throughout the software development lifecycle, participating in agile ceremonies like daily stand-ups and sprints.
  • Maintain automation frameworks: Maintain and improve automated testing systems and pipelines, sometimes within a CI/CD environment.
  • Troubleshoot issues: Investigate and resolve problems with automation software and systems
  • Developing SQL or Unix scripts for test data generation or test harness automation
  • Implement automated testing during feature development to facilitate integration, regression, functional and system testing of applications and services Verifying results and producing test summaries and defect reports
  • Identify functional and performance defects and requirement discrepancies; generate defect Jira tickets and report discrepancies
  • Use modern software engineering IDEs including Eclipse, IntelliJ, etc. for design, development, and testing the software
  • Work with the project team using an Agile approach to understand and document test cases in JIRA

Qualifications
Required Skills and Experience -
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field with 9+ year of relevant technical experience
  • Experience with Java
  • Experience with the following Test Management Software Tools: Selenium, Playwright, Cucumber
  • Write SQL queries with clear understanding of relational databases.
  • Experience with automation testing focusing on API testing with some UI testing
  • Ability to understand data models and write test scripts based on the data model
  • Ability to generate test data and perform validation
  • Proven ability to develop, execute and maintain automated test suites across multiple environments: backend applications, middleware, desktop, and micro service testing using Soap UI with basic XML knowledge.
  • Evaluate test results, report and manage defects
  • Strong written/oral communication skills and problem-solving skills; ability to communicate information to a variety of groups at different technical skill levels
  • Experience with test automation for applications running in the cloud (AWS or equivalent cloud providers)
  • Experience in all stages of application testing, especially backend testing, functional, usability, regression, load/stress and performance testing

Desired Skills and Experience -
  • Prior software development experience is a plus.
  • Experience working in an agile development environment
  • Experience with XML a plus.
  • Ability to work in a high-pressured, tight-deadline environment.
  • Strong collaboration skills.
  • Strong initiative: must be able to take a high-level requirement, ask questions/seek clarifications, and get the job done.
  • Master's degree in Computer Science or related field

Customer Requirements
  • Clearance - Ability to obtain and hold a public trust position and favorable suitability based on a CBP Background Investigation
  • Citizenship - Must be a US Citizen
  • Location - Hybrid with on-site (Ashburn, VA) visits 2 days per week and if a mission need. All candidates must be within the GWA/commutable area.

About Us
SAIC® is a premier mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, intelligence, and civilian markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services, and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.
We are approximately 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

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