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Contract Test Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Test Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD ยท On-site

$160K - $195K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Test Engineer (PRIME Contract) Location: Annapolis Junction, MD Reports To: Technical Task Lead Job Type: Full-time Clearance Requirement: TS/SCI with polygraph, U.S. Citizen Summary: Seeking a Test ...

Test Engineer

Chantilly, VA ยท On-site

$85 - $125/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Test Engineer LOCATION Chantilly, VA 20151 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this position ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

New

Test Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Test Engineer LOCATION Annapolis Junction, MD 20701 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

Test Engineer

Tysons, VA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Test Engineer LOCATION Tysons, VA 22182 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this position ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

Test Engineer

Reston, VA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Test Engineer LOCATION Reston, VA 20190 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this position ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

Test Engineer

Reston, VA ยท On-site

$90 - $125/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Test Engineer LOCATION Reston, VA 20190 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this position ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

New

Test Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD ยท On-site

$160K - $195K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Test Engineer (PRIME Contract) Location: Annapolis Junction, MD Reports To: Technical Task Lead Job Type: Full-time Clearance Requirement: TS/SCI with polygraph, U.S. Citizen Summary: Seeking a Test ...

Test Engineer

Annapolis, MD ยท On-site

$160K - $195K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Test Engineer (PRIME Contract) Location: Annapolis Junction, MD Reports To: Technical Task Lead Job Type: Full-time Clearance Requirement: TS/SCI with polygraph, U.S. Citizen Summary: Seeking a Test ...

Test Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD ยท On-site

$57.69 - $67.30/hr

Job Title Test Engineer Overview EverWatch is a government solutions company providing advanced ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Test Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD ยท On-site

$57.69 - $67.30/hr

As a test engineer on our team, you'll use your experience to work with engineers to evaluate ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Test Engineer

Chantilly, VA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Test Engineer LOCATION Chantilly, VA 20151 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this position ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

Test Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD ยท On-site

$57.69 - $67.30/hr

As a test engineer on our team, you'll use your experience to work with engineers to evaluate ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Test Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD ยท On-site

$57.69 - $67.30/hr

As a test engineer on our team, you'll use your experience to work with engineers to evaluate ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Test Engineer

Annapolis, MD ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Type: Contract * Job #4004 Title: Test Engineer Location: Annapolis Junction, MD Compensation Range: $160 - $180K *Clearance: *Active TS/SCI w/ Polygraph needed to apply * Company Overview:

Test Engineer

Columbia, MD ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Six (6) years of experience as a Software Test Engineer on programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity. * A Master's degree may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.

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Showing results 1-20

Contract Test Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$20

$50

$84

How much do contract test engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract test engineer in Washington, DC is $50.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37.84 and $59.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract test engineer?

Contract Test Engineers are professionals hired on a temporary basis to design, execute, and document tests for products, systems, or software to ensure they meet quality standards and function as intended. They often work for a fixed period or on specific projects, providing specialized testing expertise. Their responsibilities may include developing test plans, performing automated or manual testing, identifying bugs, and collaborating with development teams to resolve issues. Contract Test Engineers are commonly found in industries like software development, manufacturing, and electronics.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract test engineer?

To thrive as a Contract Test Engineer, you need expertise in software testing methodologies, test case development, debugging, and a relevant degree in computer science or engineering. Familiarity with automated testing tools (such as Selenium or JUnit), version control systems, and knowledge of CI/CD pipelines are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, effective communication, and adaptability are essential soft skills for collaborating with diverse project teams and quickly integrating into new environments. These competencies ensure high-quality deliverables, efficient problem-solving, and successful project outcomes in dynamic contract-based roles.

What are some common challenges contract test engineers face when joining new projects, and how can they overcome them?

Contract Test Engineers often face challenges such as quickly understanding unfamiliar systems, adapting to varied testing frameworks, and integrating into established teams with existing workflows. To overcome these, it's important to proactively communicate with team members, review project documentation thoroughly, and seek clarity on project goals and testing standards early on. Building rapport with developers and other engineers can also ease the onboarding process and help ensure effective collaboration throughout the contract period.

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

AspectContract Test EngineerQA Tester
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in Computer Science or related field, with certifications like ISTQBOften requires a similar degree or relevant experience, with ISTQB certification common
Work EnvironmentWorks on specific projects, often contract-based, in software development teamsWorks within quality assurance teams, testing software for bugs and usability
Industry UsageCommon in software development, IT consulting, and tech companiesWidely used across software companies, especially in testing and quality assurance roles

Contract Test Engineers and QA Testers both focus on software quality, but Contract Test Engineers often work on specific projects with a focus on testing automation and integration, while QA Testers typically perform manual testing and bug tracking. Both roles require similar credentials and are integral to software development teams.

What are the most commonly searched types of Test Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Test Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Test Engineer

Meta Force Technology Staffing LLC

Linthicum, MD โ€ข On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

On-site: On site, Linthicum, MD. 9/80 work week

Subk/Temp/Perm: 1-year contract

Required Clearance: No clearance required.

Description
Northrop Grumman is looking for a Test Engineer to support our Advanced Technology Software Engineering Team. As a member of the Software Engineering department you’ll work in a fast-paced team environment alongside physicists, superconducting foundry engineers, and software engineers to make our technologies a reality. This position will serve on-site at Advanced Technology Laboratory (ATL) in Linthicum, MD.
Responsibilities:
• Stand-up software test architecture for a legacy COTS application
• Collaborate with developers, SM, and PO’s to identify critical tests
• Write and perform all tests to ensure quality software products prior to software release