Sr. QA Automation Engineer

Role Description

The Senior Quality Assurance Automation Engineer is an experienced quality professional responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated testing solutions that ensure the reliability, performance, and quality of systems.

This role applies strong technical expertise in test automation frameworks, CI/CD test integration, and performance testing to support efficient, repeatable validation of system quality throughout the software development lifecycle.

Role Summary

• Work on Playwright-based testing across learning applications
• Develop and maintain automated test scripts (end-to-end, smoke, etc.)
• Ensure full test coverage through automation (all tests automated)

Automation & Quality Ownership

• Perform code reviews for automation script changes
• Enforce automation standards
• Return scripts for rework when standards are not met

Enablement & Training

• Spend time learning and advancing Playwright capabilities
• Train and support other QA Engineers on Playwright usage
• Design, create, execute, and maintain automated regression test suites to ensure ongoing system quality and stability.
• Develop and enhance automated tests across functional, integration, API, UI, and data validation layers.
• Translate business requirements, user stories, and architectural specifications into effective automated and manual test scenarios.
• Contribute to test strategy development with an emphasis on automation-first principles and test coverage.
• Analyze and optimize existing automation code to improve reliability, maintainability, and execution efficiency.
• Integrate automated tests into CI/CD pipelines, supporting reliable execution, reporting, and failure triage.
• Interpret and communicate test results, defects, and quality risks to project teams and stakeholders.
• Participate in peer reviews, including code reviews of automation scripts, to ensure adherence to standards and best practices.
• Support performance testing efforts by designing, executing, and analyzing performance and load tests, and collaborating with Engineering on results and remediation.
• Maintain automation documentation, standards, and testing artifacts to support consistency and knowledge sharing.
• Escalate risks, defects, and impediments with appropriate judgment and recommended mitigation approaches.
• Define and maintain test metrics and quality signals in test management and tracking tools.
• Mentor and support junior and mid-level QA engineers through technical guidance and knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to technical discussions related to system design and testability, advocating for quality considerations.

Skills & Requirements

• 5 years of professional quality assurance and test automation experience, including 3 years' experience working with modern automation frameworks and CI/CD environments.

Critical Skills

• Hands-on experience designing and maintaining automated test frameworks and regression suites.
• Advanced UI automation experience using Playwright with C# or similar automation technologies.
• Experience integrating automated tests into CI/CD pipelines and supporting reliable execution and reporting.
• Strong understanding of test automation patterns, framework design, and maintainability practices.
• Experience with API testing and tools such as Postman.
• Working knowledge of relational databases and SQL for test data validation.
• Experience with version control systems and code review workflows (e.g., Git, pull requests).
• Strong debugging, failure analysis, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret and communicate test results and quality risks clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of software quality assurance principles and testing methodologies.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with performance testing tools such as JMeter or equivalent.
• Exposure to CI/CD platforms such as Azure DevOps, Jenkins, or similar tools.
• Experience or interest in AI-assisted testing approaches to improve automation efficiency and failure analysis.
• Mobile application testing experience is a plus.
• Awareness of accessibility, security, or observability concepts is a plus.

Education

• Four-year degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Physical Requirements

• General office demands
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent reaching, handling, and fine manipulation for using office equipment, filing, and managing paperwork.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, mouse, and other office tools.
• Occasional standing, walking, and bending.
• Ability to lift up to 10-20 pounds occasionally.
• Vision abilities required include close vision for computer work and reading documents.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits/Other Compensation

This position is a contract/temporary role where Hays offers you the opportunity to enroll in full medical benefits, dental benefits, vision benefits, 401K and Life Insurance ($20,000 benefit).

Why Hays?

You will be working with a professional recruiter who has intimate knowledge of the industry and market trends. Your Hays recruiter will lead you through a thorough screening process in order to understand your skills, experience, needs, and drivers. You will also get support on resume writing, interview tips, and career planning, so when there's a position you really want, you're fully prepared to get it.