QA Automation Engineer

Senior QA Automation Programmer/DeveloperVarmoda is seeking a highly motivated Senior QA Automation Programmer/Developer to design, develop, and modernize the enterprise automation framework supporting the State's integrated healthcare eligibility system. The ideal candidate will have 7+ years of experience building automated test solutions for large-scale enterprise applications, including 5+ years developing automation frameworks using Java and Selenium and integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines. This role will collaborate with developers, business analysts, and DevOps engineers to define automation strategies and mentor automation engineers, ensuring long-term maintainability, scalability, and reliability of test automation across Minnesota's METS/SMRT DevOps modernization initiative.Roles and ResponsibilitiesDesign, develop, maintain, and modernize the enterprise automation framework supporting the State's integrated healthcare eligibility system, ensuring long-term maintainability, scalability, sustainability, and reuse across multiple modernization initiatives.Provide technical leadership for automation architecture, framework design, coding standards, and automation best practices within the DevOps team.Evaluate and modernize existing automation frameworks to improve maintainability, scalability, reliability, and execution efficiency.Collaborate with developers, business analysts, DevOps engineers, and QA staff to define automation strategies, reusable test assets, and technical solutions.Design, execute, and maintain functional, system integration, API, and regression automation suites supporting statewide healthcare eligibility systems.Integrate automated testing into CI/CD pipelines and support automated execution throughout the software development lifecycle.Mentor automation engineers through code reviews, technical coaching, framework guidance, and knowledge transfer.Develop SQL queries and perform database validation to support automated testing and troubleshoot complex application issues.Participate in Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, backlog refinement, defect triage, and technical design discussions while providing automation leadership.Research, evaluate, and recommend new automation tools, technologies, and framework enhancements that improve software quality and long-term maintainability.EducationBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a related field preferred.Minimum QualificationsSeven (7) years' experience designing, developing, and executing automated test solutions for large-scale enterprise applications.Five (5) years' experience developing automation frameworks using Java and Selenium or comparable automation technologies.Five (5) years' experience designing, developing, or significantly enhancing automation frameworks using object-oriented design principles and reusable framework architecture.Three (3) years' experience integrating automated testing into Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines using tools such as Jenkins.Five (5) years' experience writing SQL queries and performing database validation in support of automated testing.Required SkillsExperience serving as an Automation Architect, Principal QA Automation Engineer, Automation Framework Lead, or Senior Automation Consultant.Experience providing technical leadership, mentoring automation engineers, and conducting automation code reviews.Experience modernizing mature automation frameworks to improve maintainability, scalability, sustainability, and long-term supportability.Experience designing automation frameworks from the ground up, including reusable components, reporting, coding standards, maintainability, scalability, and extensibility.Experience evaluating and modernizing legacy automation frameworks and implementing technical improvements.Experience supporting large, complex, mission-critical enterprise applications.Experience collaborating with developers, solution architects, DevOps engineers, and business analysts to implement automation strategies.Experience using IBM Engineering Test Management (ETM), IBM Quality Manager (QM), IBM Collaborative Lifecycle Management (CLM), or comparable enterprise test management tools.Experience automating web applications, REST APIs, and database validation.Experience with performance testing tools or supporting performance testing initiatives.Experience working within Agile/Scrum DevOps teams.Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.Experience supporting healthcare, human services, government, or other highly regulated enterprise environments.