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Software Test Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Software Test Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$86K - $198K/yr

R0248025 Software Test Engineer The Opportunity: At a certain point, experience-based system design can start to look like clairvoyance. When you've developed so many systems that you can not only ...

Software Test Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$86K - $198K/yr

Software Test Engineer The Opportunity: At a certain point, experience-based system design can start to look like clairvoyance. When you've developed so many systems that you can not only orchestrate ...

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 ...

Showing results 21-40

Software Test Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$10

$51

$72

How much do software test engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for software test engineer in Virginia is $51.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41.68 and $58.17 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a software test engineer?

A software test engineer conducts quality assurance tests on software to make sure programs are functioning properly. The three types of testing strategies are black box, where the tester is not familiar with the software, white box, where the tester is aware of the software’s internal structure, and gray box, which is a combination of the two. Responsibilities in this job include running diagnostic tests with a critical mindset, assessing the functionality, and reporting the findings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a software test engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Software Test Engineer, you need a solid understanding of software development life cycles, test methodologies, and proficiency in programming languages such as Python or Java, often supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with automation tools like Selenium, JUnit, or TestNG, and knowledge of bug tracking systems such as Jira are typically required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication set standout engineers apart by enabling thorough defect identification and clear reporting. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring software reliability, meeting quality standards, and facilitating smooth collaboration across development teams.

What are some common challenges faced by software test engineers when working with cross-functional development teams?

Software Test Engineers often encounter challenges such as aligning testing timelines with rapid development cycles, ensuring clear communication of bugs and requirements, and adapting to evolving project priorities. Collaborating closely with developers, product managers, and UX designers requires proactive communication and flexibility, especially when dealing with ambiguous requirements or shifting deadlines. To succeed, it's important to maintain detailed documentation, participate actively in agile ceremonies, and foster a collaborative attitude to resolve issues efficiently and ensure high-quality software releases.

What is the difference between Software Test Engineer vs QA Analyst?

AspectSoftware Test EngineerQA Analyst
CertificationsISTQB, CSTE, CSQAISTQB, CSTE, CSQA
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, testing labsQuality assurance departments, testing labs
Industry UsageSoftware companies, tech firmsSoftware companies, IT organizations
Primary FocusDesigning, executing tests, automationTest planning, process improvement, documentation

Both roles often require similar certifications and work in software testing environments within tech industries. The Software Test Engineer typically focuses on test case development, automation, and execution, while the QA Analyst emphasizes test planning, quality processes, and documentation. Understanding these distinctions helps organizations assign the right responsibilities and professionals for their testing needs.

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 are popular job titles related to Software Test Engineer jobs in Virginia?

For Software Test Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Software Test Engineer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Software Test Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Software Test Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,096 per year, or $51 per hour.

Senior Software Test Engineer

Quartermaster AI Inc

Arlington, VA • On-site

$190K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

ABOUT QUARTERMASTER
Quartermaster is building the world's most comprehensive maritime intelligence platform. Our SmartMast™ system transforms commercial and civilian vessels into a persistent, distributed sensing network-combining HD video, AI, radar, RF sensing, and AIS to deliver real-time maritime domain awareness at global scale. With 600+ sensors deployed across 25+ countries and more than 400,000 vessels identified outside of AIS, we are setting a new standard for what ocean surveillance and safety can look like.
We are a startup in build mode: small team, high ownership, fast iteration, and meaningful constraints. We ship quickly, learn in production, and optimize for mission impact over process theater.
THE ROLE
We are hiring a Senior Software Test Engineer to own the automated test frameworks, quality assurance tooling, and integration pipelines for our core systems. You will build and scale internal test platforms, design automated verification suites, and validate hardware-to-cloud data flows to ensure our edge platforms and back-office systems operate with high reliability.
This is a senior startup role for an engineer who can move quickly from initial system requirements to production-ready test automation, make pragmatic architecture choices, and deliver validation tools that empower engineering teams to ship code with confidence.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Design, build, and deploy automated test frameworks and internal validation tools used by software, hardware, and operations teams.
  • Develop end-to-end integration tests, regression suites, and ETL data quality checks to validate system telemetry and third-party API integrations.
  • Build backend integration services and test automation scripts (Python, TypeScript, or Java) to simulate real-world operational environments.
  • Establish monitoring, automated alerting, and CI/CD testing pipelines to ensure continuous integration and software quality across deployments.
  • Investigate complex software, firmware, and data integration failures, conducting root-cause analysis across distributed systems.
  • Partner directly with cross-functional engineering teams to define test plans, qualification procedures, and system performance benchmarks.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
  • 6+ years of professional software test engineering or test automation experience.
  • Strong programming skills in Python, TypeScript/JavaScript, or Java for building automated test suites, tooling, and integration frameworks.
  • Solid experience testing RESTful APIs, integration services, and complex data flows across microservices architectures.
  • Strong SQL and database query skills for validating data correctness, schema evolution, and backend pipeline execution.
  • Hands-on experience with CI/CD tools (GitHub Actions, Jenkins) and containerized deployment environments (Docker, AWS, Kubernetes).
  • Comfort owning test infrastructure end-to-end, including test fixture setup, environment configuration, and operational hardening.
  • Clear written and verbal communication, with a bias for direct collaboration and fast execution.

BONUS POINTS
  • Experience with test framework orchestration tools (pytest, Cypress, Playwright, or similar).
  • Familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, bus communication protocols, or edge-to-cloud data verification.
  • Experience testing event-driven systems or queue-based integration patterns.
  • Exposure to defense, maritime, or regulated environments with strict software verification and validation (V&V) standards.