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Senior Qa Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

About the opportunity The Senior QA Engineer (Automation) is responsible for improving the quality of a variety of software applications by creating and executing tests. The individual in this role ...

About the opportunity The Senior QA Engineer (Automation) is responsible for improving the quality of a variety of software applications by creating and executing tests. The individual in this role ...

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Senior Qa information

What is the difference between Senior Qa vs Quality Assurance Analyst?

AspectSenior QaQuality Assurance Analyst
CredentialsTypically requires 5+ years experience, certifications like ISTQB or CSTEUsually 2-4 years experience, similar certifications
Work EnvironmentLeads testing teams, involved in planning and strategyPerforms testing, reports bugs, executes test cases
Industry UsageUsed across software, hardware, and systems industriesPrimarily in software development and IT sectors

Senior Qa roles generally involve more leadership, strategic planning, and mentorship compared to Quality Assurance Analysts, who focus on executing tests and reporting issues. The Senior Qa often oversees testing processes, while QA Analysts perform the hands-on testing tasks.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior QA engineers typically do not earn $500,000 annually; such high salaries are more common in executive or specialized roles like QA directors or senior software engineers in high-paying industries. Achieving this level often requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and sometimes stock options or bonuses in large tech companies. Most QA roles have lower salary ranges, with top-tier positions reaching higher compensation levels.

Are QA testers in demand in 2026?

Senior QA testers are expected to remain in demand in 2026 due to ongoing needs for software quality assurance across industries. Skills in automation tools, scripting, and understanding of development processes will enhance job prospects as companies prioritize reliable software delivery.

Which pays more, QA or QC?

In the context of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) roles, QA positions typically offer higher salaries because they involve more strategic planning, process improvement, and testing management. QC roles focus on product inspection and testing, often with lower pay compared to QA roles that require broader skills and responsibilities. Salary differences can vary based on industry, experience, and certifications such as ISTQB or CSTE.

What are Senior QA engineers?

Senior QA (Quality Assurance) engineers are experienced professionals responsible for ensuring that software products meet quality standards before release. They design and execute test plans, identify bugs, and work closely with development teams to resolve issues. Senior QA engineers often mentor junior team members, develop automated testing frameworks, and contribute to the overall improvement of testing processes. Their role is critical in delivering reliable and high-performing software products.

What is a senior QA?

A senior QA (Quality Assurance) professional is responsible for leading testing efforts to ensure software quality, often designing test plans, executing tests, and identifying defects. They typically have extensive experience, strong knowledge of testing tools and methodologies, and may mentor junior team members. Senior QAs play a critical role in improving product reliability and may collaborate closely with development teams throughout the software development lifecycle.

How does a Senior QA typically collaborate with development and product teams during a software release cycle?

A Senior QA works closely with both development and product teams throughout the software release cycle to ensure quality standards are met. They participate in sprint planning, clarify acceptance criteria, and provide input on testability during design discussions. Senior QAs also coordinate with developers to identify, reproduce, and resolve defects, and often lead the testing effort by mentoring junior team members. Their proactive communication helps ensure that issues are caught early and that releases proceed smoothly.

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

To thrive as a Senior QA, you need strong analytical skills, experience with software testing methodologies, and a background in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with test automation tools (such as Selenium or JUnit), bug tracking systems (like Jira), and relevant certifications (e.g., ISTQB) is highly valuable. Excellent communication, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities set top performers apart in this role. These skills ensure high-quality software releases, effective collaboration with development teams, and efficient identification and resolution of issues.
What are the most commonly searched types of Qa jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Qa jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Senior Qa jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Senior Qa job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Qa job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 75% In-person, and 25% Remote job distribution.
Senior Quality Assurance Software Engineer

Senior Quality Assurance Software Engineer

Cooley

Washington, DC โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

Senior Quality Assurance Software Engineer

Cooley is seeking a Senior QA Software Engineer to join the Practice Engineering team within the Innovation Department.

Position summary: As a leading technology law firm, Cooley is determined to become a leader in the digital practice of law. Cooley Innovation embraces a culture of customer service excellence and all members of the department are expected to move this agenda forward. To that end, the Quality Assurance ("QA") Software Engineer isresponsible for ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of our software applications through a combination of automated and manual testing. A strong focus of this role is the design and maintenance of test automation frameworks using Playwright or comparable platforms (e.g., Cypress, Selenium). The engineer will work closely with developers, product owners, and QA peers to define test strategies, improve coverage, and deliver high-quality software solutions in a fast-paced environment. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Position responsibilities:

  • Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks using Playwright or other industry-standard platforms
  • Expand test coverage across UI, API, and integration layers
  • Perform manual and exploratory testing where automation is not feasible
  • Integrate automated test suites into CI/CD pipelines to support continuous testing
  • Document, track, and triage defects; collaborate with developers on resolution
  • Ensure test environments, data, and reporting are reliable and reusable
  • Contribute to QA best practices, coding standards, and reusable test components
  • Collaborate with product and engineering teams to define acceptance criteria and quality metrics
  • All other duties as assigned or required

Skills and experience:

Required:

  • After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications
  • Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, as required
  • Ability to travel, as required
  • 5+ years directly applicable experience (e.g., hands-on experience with designing frameworks using Playwright or other test automation platforms).
  • Strong analytical and critical thinking in day-to-day tasks
  • Solid understanding of web application testing, including cross-browser validation.

Preferred:

  • Bachelor's degree in Informational Systems, Computer Science or related discipline
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills in agile teams
  • Experience with performance testing
  • Strong understanding of web and API testing, including cross-browser validation and scalability considerations
  • Knowledge of software testing methodologies and agile development practices
  • Hands-on experience with Playwright or similar test automation platforms (Cypress, Selenium)

Competencies:

  • Exceptional customer service skills
  • Strong problem-solving and project management skills
  • Ability to balance best practices with business objectives
  • Track record of excellent decision-making, integrity and working with IS management, business users and business professionals
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including technical and user documentation
  • Strong organizational skills and detail oriented
  • Ability to work independently and under high pressure with tight schedules and deadlines
  • Ability to interact well with all levels of business professionals
  • Excellent active listening skills
  • Ambitious and motivated team player
  • Capable of grasping new concepts quickly and without prior experience
  • Ability to multi-task and work in fast-paced environment
  • Ability to interact and coordinate with several teams to achieve objectives
  • Ability to solve problems independently and simultaneously, effectively managing multiple tasks
  • Professional demeanor

Cooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices.

EOE.

The expected annual pay range for this position with a full-time schedule is 103,000 - $150,000. Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate.

We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 21 days of Paid Time Off ("PTO") and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.