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Cold Case Investigator Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

The program is focused on delivering a modern, secure, user-friendly investigative and case ... In-office Cold Brew Coffee About Expression: Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Washington DC ...

The program is focused on delivering a modern, secure, user-friendly investigative and case ... In-office Cold Brew Coffee About Expression: Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Washington DC ...

The program will modernize DEA's investigative and case management environment through a ... In-office Cold Brew Coffee About Expression: Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Washington DC ...

The program will modernize DEA's investigative and case management environment through a ... In-office Cold Brew Coffee About Expression: Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Washington DC ...

Store Supervisor

Newport News, VA · On-site

$65K - $100K/yr

... activities by investigating alleged fraud and other alleged illegalactivities Conducts ... case reports and providescourt room testimony as needed Partners in collaborative efforts with ...

Department Supervisor

Newport News, VA · On-site

$65K - $100K/yr

... activities by investigating alleged fraud and other alleged illegalactivities Conducts ... case reports and providescourt room testimony as needed Partners in collaborative efforts with ...

Police Retiree Part time

Richmond, VA · On-site

$62K - $111K/yr

... case by case basis Successful completion of an interview, thorough background investigation, to ... The job may risk exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or ...

... case by case basis Successful completion of an interview, thorough background investigation, to ... The job may risk exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or ...

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Cold Case Investigator information

See Virginia salary details

$22

$31

$40

How much do cold case investigator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for cold case investigator in Virginia is $31.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.00 and $35.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cold case investigator?

Cold case investigators are law enforcement professionals who specialize in reviewing and solving unsolved criminal cases, often years or decades after the initial investigation. They use modern investigative techniques, such as forensic technology and DNA analysis, to re-examine evidence and generate new leads. Their goal is to bring resolution to cases that have gone 'cold' due to a lack of evidence or leads, providing justice for victims and closure for families.

What does a cold case investigator do?

A cold case is an investigation that has gone unsolved after more than a year; initial efforts did not yield enough evidence to identify or arrest a suspect, or to come to any definitive conclusions. Cold case investigators re-open these cases to bring a fresh perspective to the collected evidence or when new evidence has surfaced. In this role, you review forensic data that has already been collected and look at witness statements and incident reports received at the time. When possible, you may also go back to the crime scene to try to visualize what may have happened and interview witnesses or previous investigators again to find new leads. Your goal is to move the case forward towards a conclusion and a conviction when possible.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cold case investigator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cold Case Investigator, you need a background in criminal justice or law enforcement, strong analytical skills, and experience in investigative procedures, often supported by a relevant degree and police academy training. Familiarity with forensic technology, crime databases (such as NCIC), and evidence management systems is essential. Persistence, critical thinking, and excellent communication skills help investigators collaborate with colleagues, witnesses, and victims’ families. These skills are crucial for effectively re-examining unresolved cases, uncovering new evidence, and delivering justice in complex investigations.

How does a cold case investigator typically collaborate with other law enforcement professionals during an investigation?

Cold Case Investigators often work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including forensic analysts, detectives, prosecutors, and sometimes federal agencies. Collaboration is key to re-examining evidence, conducting new interviews, and leveraging advancements in technology such as DNA analysis. Regular meetings and case reviews ensure all team members are aligned and can bring their specialized expertise to bear on unresolved cases. This teamwork increases the chances of uncovering new leads and ultimately solving long-standing cases.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cold Case Investigator jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Cold Case Investigator jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Cold Case Investigator jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Cold Case Investigator job openings:

Infographic showing various Cold Case Investigator job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 65% Physical, and 35% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,384 per year, or $31.4 per hour.

Junior Test Engineer (DEA)

Expression

Arlington, VA • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Expression is seeking a Junior Test Engineer to support the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Investigative Case and Data Ecosystem (ICDE) modernization effort. The program is focused on delivering a modern, secure, user-friendly investigative and case management ecosystem supporting DEA's law enforcement, investigative, forensic, and intelligence communities.

The Junior Test Engineer will work with developers, business analysts, and experienced QA professionals to support functional testing of Pega applications and related system capabilities. This early-career position will help validate functionality against requirements and user stories, document defects, maintain test artifacts, and contribute to quality throughout the Agile software development lifecycle.

Clearance: Top Secret clearance required and willingness to pursue SCI.

Location: Arlington, VA. The program is primarily onsite at DEA Headquarters.

Key Responsibilities

  • Support the design and execution of functional test cases for Pega applications by following established testing guidelines and workflows.
  • Work closely with developers, business analysts, and senior QA team members to understand requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria.
  • Assist with validating system functionality against documented requirements to confirm expected system behavior.
  • Execute functional and regression tests and accurately document test results.
  • Help identify and document software defects and collaborate with engineering teams to follow issues through resolution and retesting.
  • Participate in test-planning activities by providing input on test scope and helping estimate testing effort under guidance.
  • Maintain and update test documentation, including regression test cases, test results, testing checklists, and supporting QA artifacts.
  • Support User Acceptance Testing and other system validation activities as assigned.
  • Participate in Agile ceremonies, including stand-ups, sprint planning, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.
  • Support testing throughout development iterations and help ensure testing activities align with sprint requirements.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to promote quality standards throughout the software development lifecycle.
  • Review and analyze test results and escalate potential risks, defects, or issues to senior QA team members for evaluation.
  • Assist with testing system workflows, integrations, and user-facing functionality.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science or related fields and 1 year of professional experience.
  • Exposure to or foundational understanding of Pega testing concepts or Pega functional testing tools through coursework, training, internships, or professional experience.
  • Basic understanding of Quality Assurance principles, including test-case creation, defect reporting, functional testing, and regression testing.
  • Ability to read and interpret requirements or user stories and translate them into clear test steps.
  • Familiarity with Agile development methodologies such as Scrum or Kanban through coursework, internships, or previous roles.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to clearly document issues, defects, test results, and testing outcomes.
  • Experience with or knowledge of common test-management or defect-tracking tools such as Jira or Azure DevOps.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Pega certification, such as CSA, CSSA, or another applicable entry-level certification.
  • Exposure to automated testing tools for Pega applications, such as PegaUnit or Selenium for Pega UI.
  • Familiarity with Agile-focused testing methodologies, including Scrum, SAFe, or hybrid environments.
  • Interest in or basic exposure to test-automation or hybrid-testing frameworks.
  • Awareness of CI/CD concepts and how software testing integrates into automated delivery pipelines.
  • Exposure to testing Federal Government or other complex enterprise applications.

Benefits:

Expression offers competitive salaries and benefits, such as:

  • 401k matching
  • PPO and HDHP medical/dental/vision insurance
  • Education reimbursement up to $10,000/yr
  • Complimentary life insurance
  • Generous PTO and 11 days of holiday leave
  • Onsite gym facility
  • Commuter Benefits Plan
  • In-office Cold Brew Coffee

About Expression:

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Washington DC, Expression provides data fusion, data analytics, AI/ML, software engineering, information technology, and electromagnetic spectrum management solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of State, and national security community. Expression's culture focuses on creating immediate and sustainable value for our clients via agile delivery of tailored solutions built through constant engagement with our clients. Expression was ranked #1 on the Washington Technology 2018's Fast 50 list of fastest-growing small business Government contractors and a Top 20 Big Data Solutions Provider by CIO Review.

We make sure to provide everyone with the tools and opportunities to grow while working on some of the newest technologies in the industry. We get excited about celebrating our professionals' milestones, accomplishments, promotions, overcoming challenges, and many other aspects that make an engaging collaborative environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
Expression is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please submit your request to our Human Resources department through the application portal.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME