Software Test Engineer

Software Test EngineerThe Software Test Engineer designs and executes comprehensive testing strategies to ensure the quality, reliability, and compliance of complex software solutions. This role owns the test strategy for projects, combining manual and automated testing, data validation, and close collaboration with technical and business teams. The position suits someone who enjoys working independently, takes ownership of product quality outcomes, and contributes to continuous improvement in a fast-evolving environment.ResponsibilitiesDefine and execute project test strategies that align with business objectives, project risks, and release timelines.Develop detailed test plans, test scenarios, and testing schedules for assigned projects.Review requirements to ensure they are complete, testable, and verifiable, and identify any coverage gaps.Identify and communicate testing risks, dependencies, and areas of limited coverage.Provide clear quality status updates and informed release readiness recommendations.Design, execute, and document functional, integration, regression, exploratory, and end-to-end tests.Coordinate testing activities across teams and actively support User Acceptance Testing (UAT).Create, maintain, and organize test cases, test data, and test evidence to support traceability and audits.Document, prioritize, track, and verify defects through resolution, collaborating closely with developers.Develop, maintain, and execute automated test cases using tools such as Selenium, Playwright, and Cucumber.Run automated regression test suites, analyze results, and report findings clearly and promptly.Continuously increase automation coverage and testing efficiency across applications and services.Investigate automation failures, determine root causes, and drive issues to resolution.Perform SQL-based validation of business processes, calculations, integrations, and reporting outputs.Create and manage test data sets required for functional, integration, and data validation efforts.Drive assigned testing activities to completion without requiring continual direction.Quickly identify blockers, communicate them to stakeholders, and work to remove or mitigate them.Meet delivery commitments while maintaining high quality standards and attention to detail.Proactively communicate testing status, risks, issues, and delays to project stakeholders.Actively participate in team discussions, design reviews, and quality review sessions.Ask clarifying questions when expectations or requirements are unclear to reduce ambiguity and rework.Collaborate effectively with both technical and business teams to ensure shared understanding of quality goals.Quickly learn new business processes, technologies, and compliance requirements relevant to the products under test.Apply training materials and documented processes independently in daily work.Demonstrate curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement in testing practices.Adapt to changing priorities, project scopes, and timelines while maintaining focus on quality outcomes.Focus on defect prevention by contributing to better requirements, design, and process improvements.Apply analytical thinking to identify root causes of defects and suggest improvement opportunities.Contribute recommendations that improve overall product quality, testing efficiency, and system reliability.Take ownership of product quality outcomes, acting as a strong advocate for end users and stakeholders.Essential SkillsAt least 2+ years of experience in software testing, quality assurance, or test automation.Proven experience owning test strategy and leading testing efforts for software projects.Hands-on experience with test automation using Selenium and/or Playwright.Proficiency in SQL for validating business processes, calculations, integrations, and reports.Experience using version control systems such as Git for managing test assets and collaborating with developers.Experience working with issue and test management tools such as Jira and/or Xray.Strong background in functional, integration, regression, exploratory, and end-to-end testing.Ability to design, maintain, and execute automated test suites and analyze results effectively.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on root cause analysis and defect prevention.Ability to work independently, drive testing activities to completion, and manage multiple priorities.Excellent communication skills for clearly conveying status, risks, and findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, engineering, or equivalent experience.Additional Skills & QualificationsExperience testing APIs and integrations, including validation of request and response behaviors.Familiarity with CI/CD practices and tools such as Jenkins for integrating automated tests into pipelines.Exposure to AI-assisted testing tools and approaches.Experience supporting User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and collaborating with business stakeholders.Experience working with Cucumber or similar behavior-driven development (BDD) frameworks.Demonstrated learning agility and ability to quickly absorb new technologies and domain knowledge.Strong quality mindset with a focus on continuous improvement, efficiency, and reliability.Work EnvironmentThis is a day-shift, salaried position based in Springfield, with a hybrid work arrangement that requires being on-site 2 to 3 times per week. You will be the sole test engineer working closely with a focused team of four software engineers, providing a high level of ownership and influence over quality practices. The quality leadership sits in another country, so you will collaborate regularly across time zones using modern communication and collaboration tools. The environment emphasizes cutting-edge technology, global collaboration, and meaningful impact, with a culture that values curiosity, continuous learning, and innovation in material, digital, and data science.Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Springfield, VA.Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $110000.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)Workplace TypeThis is a hybrid position in Springfield,VA.Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Sep 28, 2026.About ActalentActalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI Actalent