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Principal Qa Automation Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Principal QA Automation Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$121K - $151K/yr

... and DevOps teams to ensure quality standards and testing coverage (10%). Stay current with evolving test automation trends and mentoring junior team members in QA best practices (5%). Drive QA ...

Job Title: QA Automation Engineer Location: Alpharetta, GA (Local Candidates Only) Job Type: Contract * Face to Face interview Job Summary: We are seeking a skilled QA Automation Engineer with strong ...

Senior QA Automation Engineer Job Location: New York - USA Job Type: Contract to Hire * 3 PL QA Automation Engineer will be working Digital properties desktop and mobile sites Mobile Applications ...

Job Title: QA Automation Engineer Location: Ashburn, VA (Hybrid - 2 Days Onsite) Employment Type: Full-Time Position Overview We are looking for a QA Automation Engineer with experience testing ...

Apply now: QA Automation Engineer, Remote. Start date is ASAP for this 3-month contract position. Job Title: QA Automation Engineer Location: Remote, working EST Hours Start Date: ASAP Duration

The QA Automation Engineer serves an important role in the Company by creating automated scripts to test windows, web, and mobile applications, reporting defects and validating the resolution of ...

QA Automation Engineer /SDET 12 Months contract - extension Onsite - McLean , VA / Vienna, VA / Detroit, MI Interview Type: MS Teams - Video Mandatory | In Person Position Summary: * We are seeking a ...

The QA Automation Engineer serves an important role in the Company by creating automated scripts to test windows, web, and mobile applications, reporting defects and validating the resolution of ...

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Principal Qa Automation Engineer information

See salary details

$85.5K

$128.2K

$209K

How much do principal qa automation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal qa automation engineer in the United States is $128,153.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,000.00 and $135,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Principal Qa Automation Engineer vs QA Automation Engineer?

AspectPrincipal QA Automation EngineerQA Automation Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Computer Science, certifications like ISTQB, automation tools expertiseBachelor's in Computer Science or related field, automation tools knowledge
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles, strategic planning, cross-team collaborationExecuting test automation, scripting, and debugging
Industry UsageUsed in large organizations, leadership in automation projectsCommon in various companies for automation tasks
Search/Comparison IntentUnderstanding seniority, responsibilities, and qualificationsLearning about automation roles and skills

The Principal QA Automation Engineer typically holds a senior, strategic role with leadership responsibilities, while the QA Automation Engineer focuses on executing automation tasks. Both roles require strong technical skills, but the principal position involves guiding automation strategies and mentoring teams.

How does a Principal QA Automation Engineer typically contribute to strategy and mentorship within a QA team?

As a Principal QA Automation Engineer, you play a critical role in shaping the overall test automation strategy and ensuring best practices are followed across the team. You will often mentor junior and mid-level engineers, guiding them on tool selection, framework design, and complex problem-solving. Additionally, you'll collaborate with developers, product managers, and DevOps to integrate automation into CI/CD pipelines and drive quality initiatives. This role provides opportunities to influence technical direction and contribute to continuous process improvement.

What are Principal QA Automation Engineers?

Principal QA Automation Engineers are senior-level professionals who lead the design, development, and implementation of automated testing frameworks and strategies within a software development organization. They oversee quality assurance teams, set best practices, and ensure the reliability and performance of software products through automation. These engineers also mentor junior staff, collaborate with developers and stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement in testing processes. Their extensive experience allows them to address complex testing challenges and uphold high standards of software quality.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal QA Automation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal QA Automation Engineer, you need deep expertise in software testing methodologies, automation frameworks, and a strong background in computer science or a related field. Proficiency with tools like Selenium, Jenkins, and scripting languages such as Python or Java, along with certifications like ISTQB, is typically required. Exceptional problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help you mentor teams and drive quality initiatives. These skills ensure robust automation strategies, improve software reliability, and foster cross-functional collaboration within development teams.
More about Principal Qa Automation Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Principal Qa Automation Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Principal Qa Automation Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Principal Qa Automation Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Principal Qa Automation Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Principal Qa Automation Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,153 per year, or $61.6 per hour.
Principal QA Automation Engineer

Principal QA Automation Engineer

Morningstar

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$121K - $151K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Posted 14 days ago


MorningStar Senior Living rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 29 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

86th of 235 rated social care providers


Job description

Job Duties:

Develop and execute automated tests for user interfaces, APIs, and mobile applications using industry-standard automation frameworks (5%). Lead the design, development, and maintenance of enterprise-grade automated testing frameworks and tools across web, mobile, and API platforms (10%). Conduct structured exploratory testing to uncover edge-case scenarios and proactively identify gaps in automated and manual test coverage (5%). Collaborate with product managers, developers, and DevOps teams to ensure quality standards and testing coverage (10%). Stay current with evolving test automation trends and mentoring junior team members in QA best practices (5%). Drive QA strategy and set standards for test coverage, performance, security, and reliability across 6 AWS environments supporting 200M+ monthly requests (20%). Build and execute complex automated test suites using modern languages such as JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, or Java (5%). Implement automated visual regression, integration, and exploratory testing to safeguard brand-critical user experiences (5%). Integrate automated test suites in over 5+ CI/CD pipelines supporting release confidence and early bug detection (10%). Execute comprehensive integration testing across internal systems and third-party platforms to validate seamless interoperability and data flow (5%). Monitor 100+ key application metrics and synthetic tests daily using observability platforms to proactively identify degradation or downtime risks (10%). Review content-driven applications and participating in quality assurance for content management system workflows (5%). Produce and maintain test plans, execution reports, and audit-ready documentation using industry-standard project management tools (5%). **Remote work requests will be considered consistent with company's remote work policy.

Job Requirements:

This position requires a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field, or a foreign equivalent and 8 years of experience in software quality assurance, test automation, and QA strategy development in QA Automation Engineer, Sr. QA Automation Engineer, Lead QA Automation Engineer, or relevant position.

This position also requires 8 years of experience with development and execution of automated test cases for web, mobile, and API applications. 8 years of experience with writing test automation scripts using scripting or programming languages such as JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, or Java. 8 years of experience using issue tracking and project collaboration platforms for QA documentation and defect lifecycle management. 5 years of experience with performance of exploratory and integration testing with external enterprise platforms. 5 years of experience with design and maintenance of automation within CI/CD pipelines using industry-standard tools. 4 years of experience working with cloud environments, including quality assurance in cloud-native applications (e.g., on AWS or similar). 4 years of experience with building up QA Automation framework. 4 years of experience with object-oriented programming. 4 years of experience with tools, including Selenium/Webdriver, Test NG, and Junit. 3 years of experience with validation of workflows in content management systems. 3 years of experience with applying monitoring and observability tools to assess system health and performance. 3 years of experience with implementation of visual validation tests using automated regression testing tools. **Will accept any suitable combination of education, training, and experience.

Must possess unrestricted right to work in the U.S. in this position

Base Salary Compensation Range: $121,389 - $151,563


Morningstar is an equal opportunity employer.
"#LI-DNI"

Compensation and Benefits

At Morningstar we believe people are at their best when they are at their healthiest. That's why we champion your wellness through a wide range of programs that support all stages of your personal and professional life. Here are some examples of the offerings we provide:

  • Financial Health

    • 100% 401k match up to 6% of salary

    • Stock Ownership Potential

    • Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission

  • Physical Health

    • Comprehensive health benefits(medical/dental/vision)including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plansand coverages

    • Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual

    • Company-provided long- and short-termdisabilityinsurance

  • Emotional Health

    • Trust-Based Time Off

    • 6-week Paid Sabbatical Program

    • 6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave

    • Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Leave

    • Adoption Assistance

    • Leadership Coaching & FormalMentorshipOpportunities

    • Annual Flex Stipend - $1000 annually to cover personal education & well-being expenses

    • Tuition Reimbursement

  • Social Health

    • Charitable Matching Gifts program

    • Dollars for Doers volunteer program

    • Paid volunteering days

    • 15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups

Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.

001_MstarInc Morningstar Inc. Legal Entity

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