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Sr Software Test Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Vantor

Senior Software Test Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

The selected candidate will work closely with software engineers, systems engineers, DevOps ... Contribute to test automation frameworks and continuous quality improvement initiatives.

KBR

Software Test Engineer

Chantilly, VA

Software Test Engineer The Software Test Engineer is responsible for ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of enterprise software applications through comprehensive testing and ...

New

WR Systems

Software Test Engineer

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$104K - $133K/yr

WR has an opportunity for a Software Test Engineer to support the design and testing of geospatial/geographic information systems (GIS) using advanced programming languages. Position responsibilities ...

New

WR Systems

Software Test Engineer

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$104K - $133K/yr

WR has an opportunity for a Software Test Engineer to support the design and testing of geospatial/geographic information systems (GIS) using advanced programming languages. Position responsibilities ...

New

WR Systems

Software Test Engineer

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$104K - $133K/yr

WR has an opportunity for a Software Test Engineer to support the design and testing of geospatial/geographic information systems (GIS) using advanced programming languages. Position responsibilities ...

ManTech

Automated Software Test Engineer

Stafford, VA · On-site

$98K - $163K/yr

The Software Test Engineer will be performing research and analysis on new and existing technologies and tools to provide more efficient software development and test techniques and processes for our ...

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All JobsSr Software Test Engineer JobsSr Software Test Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Sr Software Test Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$22.3K

$124.5K

$162.1K

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

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for sr software test engineer in Virginia is $124,484.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,600.00 and $142,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Sr software test engineer do?

A Sr Software Test Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and executing test plans to ensure the quality of software applications. They lead testing efforts, identify and document defects, and collaborate closely with developers and other stakeholders to resolve issues. Senior Test Engineers often mentor junior testers, help define testing strategies, and may also automate testing processes to improve efficiency. Their work ensures that software products meet functional and performance requirements before release.

What are some common challenges faced by a Sr software test engineer when working with cross-functional teams?

Sr Software Test Engineers often collaborate with development, product management, and operations teams to ensure product quality. One common challenge is aligning testing priorities with fast-paced development cycles, which requires strong communication and adaptability. Additionally, balancing the need for thorough testing with tight release schedules can be demanding. Building mutual understanding of testing goals and regularly syncing with other teams can help mitigate these challenges and promote efficient workflows.

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

To thrive as a Sr Software Test Engineer, you need expertise in software testing methodologies, strong analytical skills, and a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Proficiency with test automation tools (such as Selenium or JUnit), defect tracking systems, and scripting languages is commonly required. Excellent problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure thorough test coverage, rapid identification of defects, and seamless collaboration within development teams, leading to high-quality software releases.

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

AspectSr Software Test EngineerSoftware Test Engineer
QualificationsBachelor's degree in CS or related field, experience in testing, sometimes certifications like ISTQBBachelor's degree in CS or related field, entry-level to mid-level testing experience
ResponsibilitiesDesigning test plans, leading testing efforts, mentoring juniors, analyzing complex issuesExecuting test cases, reporting bugs, basic test documentation
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with development teams, often in Agile settings, may lead testing projectsWorks under supervision, focuses on executing tests and reporting results

The main difference between a Sr Software Test Engineer and a Software Test Engineer lies in experience, responsibilities, and leadership. The senior role involves designing test strategies, mentoring, and handling complex issues, while the software test engineer primarily executes test cases and reports bugs. Both roles are essential in software quality assurance, but the senior position requires more experience and leadership skills.

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

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

What job categories do people searching Sr Software Test Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Sr Software Test Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

Sr Software Test Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Sr Software Test Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,484 per year, or $59.8 per hour.

Senior Software Test Engineer

Arlington, VA • On-site

Quartermaster AI Inc
See more jobs at Quartermaster AI Incexternal

$190K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 hours ago

Posted today

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.

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