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Principal Qa Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Principal QA Engineer serves as a product expert for quality assurance, leading testing initiatives across the Sage Fixed Assets applications. This role extends beyond traditional QA ...

Principal QA Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$140K - $184K/yr

The Principal IT QA engineer will be a hands-on, individual contributor responsible for designing and developing our testing automation framework utilizing Python, Playwright, PyTest, Java or TestNG.

Principal QA Engineer

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$140K - $184K/yr

The Principal IT QA engineer will be a hands-on, individual contributor responsible for designing and developing our testing automation framework utilizing Python, Playwright, PyTest, Java or TestNG.

Principal QA Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$140K - $184K/yr

The Principal IT QA engineer will be a hands-on, individual contributor responsible for designing and developing our testing automation framework utilizing Python, Playwright, PyTest, Java or TestNG.

The Principal IT QA engineer will be a hands-on, individual contributor responsible for designing and developing our testing automation framework utilizing Python, Playwright, PyTest, Java or TestNG.

Title: Web Quality Assurance Engineer (Multiple Positions) Location: Seattle, WA (Onsite) Duration: 6+ Months Key job responsibilities * You'll build and maintain test infrastructure for a web ...

Everforth ECS Federal is seeking a Quality Assurance Engineer to support a mission-focused federal IT program in Washington DC. Please Note: This position is contingent upon contract award. Join ...

NAVA Software solutions is looking for a QA Engineer Details: QA Engineer Location: Houston, TX (2-3 days Onsite) Duration: 6-12 months Client is looking for a QA having strong exp in SQL / for BI ...

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Principal Qa Engineer information

See salary details

$64.5K

$125.5K

$171K

How much do principal qa engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal qa engineer in the United States is $125,478.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,500.00 and $150,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Principal QA Engineer, you need deep expertise in software testing methodologies, automation frameworks, and quality assurance best practices, often supported by a relevant degree and significant industry experience. Familiarity with tools like Selenium, Jenkins, JIRA, and scripting languages, as well as certifications such as ISTQB, is highly valued. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills set standout candidates apart, enabling effective guidance of QA teams and collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders. These skills ensure robust product quality, efficient testing processes, and successful delivery of reliable software solutions.

What is the difference between Principal Qa Engineer vs Senior Qa Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Qa EngineerSenior Qa Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Computer Science or related field, certifications like ISTQBBachelor's in Computer Science or related, some certifications preferred
Work EnvironmentLeads testing strategies, mentors teams, collaborates with cross-functional teamsPerforms testing, develops test cases, reports bugs, supports QA team
Industry UsageUsed in large organizations, enterprise software, and complex projectsCommon in various companies, from startups to large firms
Comparison FocusStrategic leadership, process improvement, mentorshipHands-on testing, execution, reporting

The Principal Qa Engineer typically holds a more strategic and leadership-oriented role, overseeing testing processes and mentoring teams, while the Senior Qa Engineer focuses on executing tests and reporting issues. Both roles require strong testing skills and industry experience, but the Principal position emphasizes leadership and process improvement.

How does a Principal QA Engineer typically contribute to cross-functional teams during product development?

A Principal QA Engineer plays a crucial role in collaborating with development, product management, and operations teams to ensure quality standards are maintained throughout the software development lifecycle. They often lead the design and implementation of test strategies, facilitate communication between stakeholders, and mentor junior QA members. Their expertise helps teams proactively identify potential issues and streamline testing processes, which results in more robust and reliable product releases.

What are Principal QA Engineers?

Principal QA Engineers are senior-level professionals responsible for overseeing and improving the quality assurance processes within a company. They design and implement testing strategies, mentor QA teams, and ensure that software products meet high standards of quality and reliability. Principal QA Engineers often collaborate with developers, product managers, and stakeholders to define quality goals and address complex technical challenges. Their role is crucial in guiding the direction of QA practices and adopting new tools or methodologies to enhance product quality.
More about Principal Qa Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Principal Qa Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Principal Qa Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Principal Qa Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Principal Qa Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Principal Qa Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,478 per year, or $60.3 per hour.

Principal Quality Assurance Engineer

Fidelity Investments

Durham, NC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Fidelity Investments rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 271 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 150 rated financial services


Job description


Position Description:
Ensures the quality and reliability of web applications and APIs by designing, developing, and maintaining automated test frameworks. Collaborates closely with development, product, and QA teams to integrate testing into the software development lifecycle and drive continuous improvement in test coverage and efficiency. Assures that projects meet quality standards by providing technical guidance in planning, designing, and executing testing and developing procedures relating to product quality on complex projects.
Primary Responsibilities:
  • Performs code reviews and formal reviews of application designs, business, and functional requirements.
  • Reviews reports on software problems.
  • Defines and implements quality process improvements focused on defect prevention.
  • Ensures test environment reflects business requirements for test execution.
  • Assists in development of in-house test tools.
  • Executes manual and/or automated test scripts for most complex projects.
  • Coordinates test schedules, work assignments, and resource plans.
  • Ensures progress of all test activities against plan.
  • Ensures execution of project regression test tasks.
  • Mentors junior team members and provides technical guidance.
  • Establishes project plans for projects of moderate scope.
  • Responsible for meeting project goals on-time and on-budget.
  • Maintains status of project and monitors activities of team members.
  • Acts as a primary liaison for business units to resolve various project/technology issues.
  • Provides technical leadership on analysis, design, coding, testing, problem resolution, and planning.
  • Works directly with the user community for project definition.
  • Performs independent and complex technical and functional analysis for multiple projects supporting several divisional initiatives.
  • Develops original and creative technical solutions to on-going development efforts.
  • Recommends strategies and methods to improve test plans and test processes.
  • Analyzes and reports overall test status and results.
  • Identifies and resolves test issues.
  • Defines and coordinates regression tests, and production verification and validation for future projects.
  • Perform risk analysis at project management level.

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Information Systems, or a closely related field (or foreign education equivalent) and five (5) years of experience as Principal Quality Assurance Engineer (or closely related occupation) integrating automation solutions according to Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) methodologies and DevOps pipelines, using Jenkins or Bitbucket.
Or, alternatively, Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Information Systems, or a closely related field (or foreign education equivalent) and three (3) years of experience as a Principal Quality Assurance Engineer (or closely related occupation) integrating automation solutions according to Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) methodologies and DevOps pipelines, using Jenkins or Bitbucket.
Skills and Knowledge:
Candidate must also possess:
  • Demonstrated Expertise ("DE") designing and implementing scalable, reusable test automation frameworks and User Interface (UI) workflows for complex web applications, using Java, Selenium WebDriver, Karate, SQL, Spring Framework, Cucumber, and Playwright with TypeScript; integrating automation with Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines for continuous testing and accelerated delivery; and performing integration testing between independent systems via flat files and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
  • DE coordinating test repository, results, and defect management for software quality management practices, using Xray and Jira.
  • DE creating automated tests for Bullhorn and SAP Fieldglass Worker vendor software using Playwright with TypeScript, querying backend data and validate frontend UI features across all non-prod instances before production promotion; and analyzing and resolving root-cause technical issues within internal HR applications and web portals.
  • DE performing CI/CD pipeline development using pipeline-as-code Groovy scripts to define workflows.

#PE1M2
#LI-DNI
Fidelity's Onsite Working Model
Fidelity is transitioning to a full-time onsite working model through a phased rollout across regions and roles. Currently, some roles and locations require 100% onsite presence, while others require less. Onsite expectations are likely to evolve as the rollout continues. This transition does not apply to fully remote roles.
Certifications:
Category:
Information Technology
Please be advised that Fidelity's business is governed by the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act of 1940, ERISA, numerous state laws governing securities, investment and retirement-related financial activities and the rules and regulations of numerous self-regulatory organizations, including FINRA, among others. Those laws and regulations may restrict Fidelity from hiring and/or associating with individuals with certain Criminal Histories.

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