Principal Tester/Automation - Specialty

GEICO; Bethesda (MD); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

GEICO seeks a Principal Tester to lead automation efforts within the Specialty ecosystem in Bethesda, MD, driving testing quality across claims platforms. The role combines hands-on automation with leadership, mentoring testers, and shaping automation strategy across multiple systems.

You will guide teams, design automated test cases (coded and codeless), and ensure testing aligns with product and engineering releases while delivering high quality results.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of software testing experience, including automation.
• Experience leading testing teams and defining automation strategy across platforms.
• Strong analytical and debugging abilities with attention to risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of testers, elevating automation coverage and quality.
• Design, build, and maintain automated test cases using coded and codeless tools.
• Validate changes and coordinate testing with release schedules and stakeholders.
• Analyze test results to identify defects and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Automation testing

Test strategy

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving

Communication

Tools

Test orchestration tools

Job description

## Principal Tester/Automation - SpecialtyApply: Hybrid: Bethesda, MD: Full time: Posted Today: R0065832**Why Join GEICO?**At GEICO, we offer a rewarding career where your ambitions are met with endless possibilities.Every day we honor our iconic brand by offering quality coverage to millions of customers and being there when they need us most. We thrive on relentless innovation to exceed our customers' expectations while making a real impact on local communities nationwide.Founded in 1936, GEICO is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and one of the largest auto insurers in the United States. When you join our company, we want you to feel valued, supported, and proud to work here. That's why we offer the GEICO Pledge: Great Company, Great Culture, Great Rewards, and Great Careers.We are seeking an experienced Principal Tester to lead and elevate how our Specialty ecosystem validates and deploys software. This is a leadership role at the center of our shift from primarily manual testing toward scalable, automation-first practices — someone who has run testing teams before and can point to real automation tools they've deployed in production environments, not just studied. You will guide a team of testers through day-to-day execution while setting the technical direction for automation adoption across the claims platform. Success in this role depends on hands-on fluency with automation tooling combined with the judgment to mentor others, prioritize competing initiatives, and represent testing quality to product and engineering stakeholders. What You'll DoLeadership & Team Direction· Lead, mentor, and develop a team of testers, elevating their skills in both manual and automated testing practices· Set and communicate the automation strategy for the Cycle, RV, Boat & Umbrella systems deliveries, prioritizing which processes move from manual to automated coverage· Own testing quality outcomes for platform releases, escalating risk and negotiating scope/timeline tradeoffs with product and engineering leadership· Train team members on automation tooling and codify best practices as automation capabilities expand· Coordinate cross-functional initiatives, aligning testing plans with release schedules across multiple teamsAutomation & Technical Execution· Assist with design, build, and maintenance of automated test cases using coded and codeless automation tools, serving as the team's hands-on technical reference· Validate software changes and releases prior to production deployment, ensuring functionality, quality, and performance· Develop, support, and maintain test orchestration workflows and automated execution pipelines· Analyze test results and large datasets to identify defects, trends, and root causes; translate findings into clear recommendations for stakeholders· Drive continuous improvement of automation coverage and testing effectiveness across the organizationRequired Qualifications· Prior experience owning direction or supervising a testing team· Hands-on, real-world experience building and executing automated test cases with coded and/or codeless automation tools· Experience with test orchestration tools, workflows, or automation platforms· Strong technical aptitude with the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies· Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and troubleshooting skills, with the judgment to prioritize across a team's competing demands· Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment· Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to represent testing outcomes to non-technical stakeholders· Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality results Preferred Qualifications· 5+ years of software testing experience.· 1+ year of insurance-based experience in any role· Experience implementing automation testing solutions organization-wide, not just within a single project· Claims platform or insurance industry experience· First-party medical claims knowledge· Experience supporting centralized service organizations· Experience analyzing large datasets using Excel or similar tools to identify trends, root causes, and recommendations· Business analysis experience supporting technology or operational teams**Annual Salary**$100,450.00 - $157,850.00The above annual salary range is a general guideline. Multiple factors are taken into consideration to arrive at the final hourly rate/ annual salary to be offered to the selected candidate. Factors include, but are not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, the selected candidate’s work experience, education and training, the work location as well as market and business considerations.At this time, GEICO will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position. **The GEICO Pledge:****Great Company:** Protecting customers through life’s twists and turns with innovation and integrity.**Great Careers:**Personalized development programs, mentorship, and certification assistance.**Great Culture:**Inclusive and collaborative culture rooted in shared success.**Great Rewards:**Competitive pay, benefits, and flexibility to support your well-being and future.The equal employment opportunity policy of the GEICO Companies provides for a fair and equal employment opportunity for all associates and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. GEICO hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.GEICO reasonably accommodates qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to receive equal employment opportunity and/or perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship to the Company. This applies to all applicants and associates. GEICO also provides a work environment in which each associate is able to be productive and work to the best of their ability. We do not condone or tolerate an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment. We expect and require the cooperation of all associates in maintaining an atmosphere free from discrimination and harassment with mutual respect by and for all associates and applicants.