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Senior Software Quality Engineer Jobs in Washington

Compunnel

Sr. Software QA Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

Job Summary We are seeking a Senior Software QA Engineer to join our IT Applications Testing Shared Services team. This role is responsible for systems testing of start-up implementations and ongoing ...

Syndicus, Inc

Software Quality Engineer

Dulles, VA

Track and document approved changes to software baseline. Support generation of quality and ... Software Engineering knowledge and/or skill sets. Excellent communication skills to educate and ...

Syndicus, Inc

Software Quality Engineer

Dulles, VA · On-site

Track and document approved changes to software baseline. Support generation of quality and ... Software Engineering knowledge and/or skill sets. Excellent communication skills to educate and ...

Visionist, Inc.

Senior Software Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$119K - $157K/yr

They are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to lead software development efforts, collaborate with teams, and ensure quality throughout the development lifecycle. Responsibilities : • Lead the ...

Visionist, Inc.

Senior Software Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$119K - $157K/yr

They are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to lead technical direction, improve software solutions, and ensure quality throughout the development lifecycle while collaborating with multiple teams ...

STR

Senior Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$141K - $186K/yr

They are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to transform advanced concepts and algorithms into ... software quality tools (static/dynamic analysis, automated testing frameworks) Company : STR is ...

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Senior Software Quality Engineer information

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$24.4K

$140.6K

$214.1K

How much do senior software quality engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software quality engineer in Washington is $140,582.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,500.00 and $155,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Software Quality Engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Senior Software Quality Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing complex test environments, balancing the need for thorough testing with tight project deadlines, and ensuring effective communication across multidisciplinary teams. Addressing these challenges typically involves adopting automation tools to streamline repetitive tests, prioritizing testing efforts based on risk, and fostering strong collaboration with developers and product managers. Continuous learning and staying updated on the latest quality assurance methodologies also help in proactively solving issues and driving high-quality software releases.

What are Senior Software Quality Engineers?

Senior Software Quality Engineers are experienced professionals responsible for ensuring the quality and functionality of software products. They design and implement test plans, develop automated and manual tests, and identify software defects. In addition, they often mentor junior engineers, collaborate with development teams, and help establish best practices for software testing. Their role is crucial in delivering reliable, stable, and user-friendly applications.

What is the difference between Senior Software Quality Engineer vs Software Quality Engineer?

AspectSenior Software Quality EngineerSoftware Quality Engineer
QualificationsTypically requires 5+ years experience, certifications like ISTQB, and advanced testing skillsUsually 1-3 years experience, foundational testing knowledge, and relevant certifications
ResponsibilitiesLeading testing efforts, designing test strategies, mentoring team membersExecuting test cases, reporting bugs, and supporting testing activities
Work EnvironmentOften in senior or lead roles within development teams, collaborating across departmentsPrimarily in QA teams, working under supervision to perform testing tasks
Industry UsageCommon in software development, tech, and IT companiesWidespread across software firms, startups, and enterprise organizations

The main difference between a Senior Software Quality Engineer and a Software Quality Engineer lies in experience, responsibilities, and leadership roles. Senior professionals typically lead testing efforts and mentor others, while Software Quality Engineers focus on executing tests and supporting quality assurance processes.

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

To thrive as a Senior Software Quality Engineer, you need expertise in software testing methodologies, test automation, and a solid understanding of software development lifecycles, typically backed by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with tools like Selenium, JIRA, Jenkins, and programming languages such as Python or Java, as well as certifications like ISTQB, are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to mentor junior team members are essential soft skills. These competencies ensure the delivery of robust, high-quality software products and help maintain efficient collaboration within development teams.
What are popular job titles related to Senior Software Quality Engineer jobs in Washington? For Senior Software Quality Engineer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Software Quality Engineer jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Software Quality Engineer jobs in Washington are:
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Senior Software Quality Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Software Quality Engineer job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 85% In-person, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $140,582 per year, or $67.6 per hour.

Senior Software Quality Engineer

The Nuclear Company

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

The Nuclear Company is the fastest growing AI tech-enabled startup in the nuclear and energy space, pioneering a fleet-scale approach to building the next generation of nuclear reactors. Through our design-once, build-many model, we're accelerating the deployment of safe, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy.
We operate with an AI-first mindset. Every employee is expected to leverage AI, technology, and the Nuclear Operating System (NOS) as integral components of their role to improve the quality, speed, and impact of their work. We expect every team member to continuously identify opportunities to automate workflows, enhance decision-making, improve processes, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of NOS as a strategic operating capability that enables The Nuclear Company to scale with excellence.
We hire people who are driven by purpose, thrive in ambiguity, and are energized by building what has never been built before. Our team combines intellectual curiosity with high agency, embraces candid feedback and continuous learning, and holds themselves and others to exceptional standards. Our values-Transparency, Responsibility, Unity, Scrappiness, and Tenacity-guide how we hire, collaborate, and make decisions every day. They are not words on a wall; they are the standard by which we operate. TRUST is the foundation of our safety culture, fostering intellectual honesty, accountability, and open communication, while our values challenge every team member to execute with urgency, humility, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to our mission.
About the role
The Nuclear Company is seeking a Senior Software Quality Engineer to help ensure the quality, reliability, traceability, and compliance of Nuclear Operating System (NOS), the software platform supporting one of the largest nuclear construction programs in the United States.
This role combines software engineering, test automation, verification and validation (V&V), and quality assurance in a highly regulated environment. You will work closely with software engineers, product teams, and compliance leaders to build automated testing capabilities, verify software requirements, support audit readiness, and ensure digital systems meet the standards required for nuclear deployment.
The ideal candidate is a strong engineer who enjoys building automation, improving quality processes, and working within rigorous compliance frameworks.
Responsibilities
Test Automation & Quality Engineering
  • Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks for web, API, data, and backend services.
  • Build and execute automated unit, integration, regression, and end-to-end test suites.
  • Integrate testing into CI/CD pipelines and release processes.
  • Develop performance, load, and reliability testing capabilities.
  • Establish quality metrics and reporting dashboards.

Verification & Validation
  • Execute software verification and validation activities.
  • Validate software against documented requirements and acceptance criteria.
  • Ensure requirements are traceable through design, implementation, testing, and release.
  • Support release readiness reviews and quality gates.

Quality Assurance & Compliance
  • Perform quality reviews and audits of software systems and development processes.
  • Support compliance with ASME NQA-1 and other applicable quality standards.
  • Verify configuration management, change control, and records management practices.
  • Prepare audit-ready documentation and objective evidence packages.

Defect Management & Root Cause Analysis
  • Lead defect triage, investigation, verification, and closure activities.
  • Analyze quality trends and identify opportunities for process improvement.
  • Support root cause investigations and corrective action programs.
  • Reduce defect escape rates through improved automation and quality controls.

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement
  • Partner with software engineers to improve testability and code quality.
  • Participate in design reviews and code reviews.
  • Help establish software quality best practices across engineering teams.
  • Support internal audits, external audits, and regulatory inspections.

Required Experience
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • 5+ years of experience in software quality engineering, software testing, SDET, or software verification and validation roles.
  • Strong programming skills in Python, Java, C#, JavaScript/TypeScript, or similar languages.
  • Experience developing and maintaining automated test frameworks.
  • Experience with modern testing tools such as Playwright, Cypress, Selenium, TestNG, PyTest, or equivalent.
  • Experience testing APIs, databases, and distributed systems.
  • Experience integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines.
  • Experience with Git, Jira, Azure DevOps, or similar engineering tools.
  • Ability to read, understand, and review production software code.
  • Strong written communication and documentation skills, the ability to produce audit-ready documentation.
  • Experience preparing for and supporting quality or regulatory audits.

Preferred Experience
  • Experience working in regulated industries such as nuclear, aerospace, defense, medical devices, energy, or industrial systems.
  • Familiarity with ASME NQA-1 quality requirements.
  • Experience in nuclear or a U.S. Department of Energy environment.
  • Familiarity with safety-critical software standards such as IEEE 1012, IEC 61508, or IEC 60880.
  • Familiarity with cybersecurity, performance, or reliability testing.
  • Experience supporting quality audits, regulatory inspections, or compliance programs.
  • Experience with requirements management and traceability systems.
  • Experience testing AI/ML-enabled software systems.
  • Understanding of ITAAC, nuclear construction quality programs, or NRC-regulated environments.
  • Experience with quality management systems (QMS) and records control platforms.

Benefits
  • Competitive compensation packages
  • 401k with company match
  • Medical, dental, vision plans
  • Generous vacation policy, plus holidays

Estimated Starting Salary RangeThe estimated starting salary range for this role is $121,000 - $165,000 annually less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a bi-weekly basis. The actual salary offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined in the Company's discretion, which may include experience, qualifications, tenure, skill set, availability of qualified candidates, geographic location, certifications held, and other criteria deemed pertinent to the particular role.
EEO StatementThe Nuclear Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an environment of inclusion in the workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, and termination.
Export Control
Certain positions at The Nuclear Company may involve access to information and technology subject to export controls under U.S. law. Compliance with these export controls may result in The Nuclear Company limiting its consideration of certain applicants.
Recruiting Fraud Alert
Your safety is our priority. We want to ensure your job search stays secure. Please note that the team at The Nuclear Company only communicates through official @thenuclearcompany.com email addresses. We will never ask for payments or sensitive financial information at any stage of our recruitment process. For your peace of mind, please verify all openings and submit your applications directly through our official careers page.

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