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Software Test Engineer Contract Jobs in Virginia

Cymertek

Automated Test Engineer

Tysons, VA · On-site

$46.25 - $61/hr

SIMILAR CAREER TITLES Automated Test Engineer, Software Test Engineer, QA Automation Engineer, Test ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

Cymertek

Automated Test Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$47.50 - $62.75/hr

SIMILAR CAREER TITLES Automated Test Engineer, Software Test Engineer, QA Automation Engineer, Test ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

Cymertek

Automated Test Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$48 - $63.25/hr

SIMILAR CAREER TITLES Automated Test Engineer, Software Test Engineer, QA Automation Engineer, Test ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

NAVA Software Solutions

SDET Engineer

Merrifield, VA · On-site

NAVA Software solutions is looking for a SDET Engineer Details: SDET Engineer Location : Merrifield, VA(Hybrid) - Weekly once onsite Duration: 12 Months Top 3 Required Skills: * Hands-on development ...

Nwis

Test Engineer

Sterling, VA

$122K - $253K/yr

... upon contract award** The Test Engineer (TE) as part of the Platform Team develops and performs functional, user acceptance, integration, and end-to-end testing for CUSTOMER system/software ...

Nightwing

Test Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

... upon contract award** The Test Engineer (TE) as part of the Platform Team develops and performs functional, user acceptance, integration, and end-to-end testing for CUSTOMER system/software ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsSoftware Test Engineer Contract JobsSoftware Test Engineer Contract Jobs in Virginia

Software Test Engineer Contract information

See Virginia salary details

$40.9K

$101.2K

$158.2K

How much do software test engineer contract jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for software test engineer contract in Virginia is $101,181.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,900.00 and $116,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Software Test Engineer on a contract basis, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Software Test Engineer on contract, you need a solid understanding of software testing methodologies, test case development, and a relevant technical background, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with automated testing tools (e.g., Selenium, JUnit), bug tracking systems, and knowledge of scripting languages are typically required, and certifications like ISTQB can be advantageous. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with development teams and ensuring product quality. These skills and qualifications enable contract engineers to quickly adapt, identify defects efficiently, and deliver reliable software within tight project timelines.

What does a Software Test Engineer on a contract basis do?

A Software Test Engineer on a contract basis is responsible for evaluating software applications to ensure they meet required standards and function correctly. They create and execute test plans, identify bugs or issues, and document their findings for the development team. Contract Software Test Engineers often work on specific projects for a set period, providing flexibility for both employers and professionals. Their work helps improve product quality before software is released to users.

What are some common challenges faced by Software Test Engineers working on contract, and how can they be addressed?

As a contract Software Test Engineer, one common challenge is quickly adapting to new teams, tools, and product domains, since contracts are often project-based and time-limited. Building effective communication with developers and understanding the existing testing frameworks can take time, but proactively seeking documentation and scheduling introductory meetings helps smooth the transition. Additionally, balancing workload expectations and maintaining high-quality standards under tight deadlines is essential. Staying organized, clarifying deliverables, and leveraging industry-standard testing tools can help contract engineers succeed in these dynamic environments.

What is the difference between Software Test Engineer Contract vs Software Test Engineer?

AspectSoftware Test Engineer ContractSoftware Test Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a relevant degree and testing certifications (e.g., ISTQB)Same as contract; often the same certifications and experience needed
Work EnvironmentTemporary, project-based roles often with consulting firms or as freelancersPermanent or long-term employment within a company
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in tech, consulting, and software development firmsWidely used across industries with dedicated testing teams
Search & Comparison IntentFocuses on short-term contracts, flexibility, and project scopeEmphasizes stability, career growth, and long-term roles

In summary, Software Test Engineer Contract roles are temporary, project-based positions suitable for those seeking flexibility, while Software Test Engineer roles are permanent, offering stability and ongoing career development within organizations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Test Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Software Test Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Software Test Engineer Contract jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Software Test Engineer Contract job openings:
Software Test Engineer Contract jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Test Engineer Contract job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 62% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,181 per year, or $48.6 per hour.
Senior Software Test Engineer

Senior Software Test Engineer

Frontier Technology Inc.

Chesapeake, VA • On-site

$107K - $139K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

Overview
We are a cutting-edge Defense Innovation Company seeking a Senior QA Engineer to join our engineering organization and raise the bar for quality across our web application portfolio. This is not a manual testing role - it is a hands-on, heavy coding position for an engineer who treats test automation as a software discipline. You will architect, build, and maintain automation frameworks with the same rigor applied to production code, with Playwright at the center of your toolkit.
You'll operate with the autonomy and pace of a startup engineer, backed by the scale and resources of an enterprise. The ideal candidate has thrived on small, fast-moving teams and knows how to deliver quality at speed without heavyweight process.
This role is ideally based near one of FTI's office locations in Chesapeake, VA, Beavercreek, OH, Colorado Springs, CO, or Northern Virginia. Candidates in these markets will receive primary consideration. Exceptional remote candidates with highly relevant experience may also be considered.
Responsibilities
  • Design, develop, and maintain robust end-to-end automation suites for complex web application workflows using Playwright with TypeScript/JavaScript
  • Leverage frontier LLM models to increase development velocity and code quality
  • Architect scalable, maintainable test frameworks and shared libraries adopted across multiple engineering teams
  • Integrate automated testing into CI/CD pipelines to enable fast, confident, continuous delivery
  • Write production-quality code daily - page objects, fixtures, custom utilities, API test harnesses, and tooling
  • Partner with developers, product managers, and DevOps to shift quality left and embed testability into design and architecture decisions
  • Triage, root-cause, and drive resolution of defects and flaky tests; champion test reliability and meaningful coverage metrics
  • Mentor engineers on automation best practices and code review test code with a critical eye
  • Evaluate and introduce tools and practices that improve quality engineering velocity

Education/Qualifications
Required Qualifications
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen AND possess an active U.S. Dept. of Defense Secret security clearance with TS/SCI eligibility.
  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM field (required)
  • 5+ years of software quality engineering or software development experience
  • Extensive, demonstrable experience using Playwright to automate workflows in modern web applications
  • Strong professional experience writing JavaScript/TypeScript - you will be evaluated as a coder
  • Experience working in startups or small, fast-moving teams where you owned outcomes end-to-end
  • Solid understanding of CI/CD practices and integrating automated tests into build pipelines (e.g., GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins, ADO)
  • Deep knowledge of testing strategy: E2E, API, integration, and component testing trade-offs
  • Strong debugging skills across the stack - browser internals, network traffic, async behavior, race conditions
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence quality practices across teams

Preferred Qualifications
  • BS in Computer Science or a closely related field (greatly preferred)
  • MS in Computer Science (preferred)
  • Experience with cloud platforms - GCP, AWS, or Azure
  • Experience with API testing, contract testing, or performance/load testing
  • Familiarity with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) and infrastructure-as-code
  • Prior experience with scaling test automation in a large engineering organization

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