Senior Test Automation Engineer

Leidos; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 116,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

11 paid Holidays

401K with company match

Flexible Schedules

Discounted Stock Purchase Plans

Technical Upskilling

Education and Training Support

Parental Paid Leave

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Senior Test Automation Engineer in the Intelligence Sector's Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA) to design and maintain automated test solutions for REST APIs and web UIs. This role requires Linux, Python automation, Docker/Podman, and CI/CD with Jenkins and GitLab.

You will evolve the in-house automation framework, migrate from Robot Framework to modern tools, write SQL validations, and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver reliable, scalable QA automation in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a technical field with 12+ years of related experience or equivalent combination.
• Strong Linux and Bash scripting experience, ability to process large data sets from logs and test artifacts.
• Advanced Python test automation experience including Pytest-based frameworks and maintainable testing practices.
• Hands-on Docker/Podman experience, building and maintaining container images for automation and CI/CD workflows.
• Experience with Jenkins and GitLab pipelines and running containerized workloads.
• Experience with REST API testing and UI testing with Selenium/Selenium-based tools.
• Security Clearance: Active TS/SCI with polygraph.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and enhance automated test suites for APIs and web UIs.
• Build a scalable test automation framework with CI/CD integration.
• Implement Python-based test automation with robust fixtures and data handling.
• Create and maintain Docker/Podman images for consistent CI runs.
• Integrate automated tests into Jenkins and GitLab pipelines.

Skills

Linux

Bash

Python

Pytest

Docker/Podman

Jenkins

GitLab

Robot Framework

Selenium

SQL

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Docker

Podman

Jenkins

GitLab

Robot Framework

Selenium

SQL Developer

Playwright (preferred)

Job description

Description

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Senior Test Automation Engineer in our Intelligence Sector's Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA). Our talented team is at the forefront in Security Engineering, Computer Network Operations (CNO), Mission Software, Analytical Methods and Modeling, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Cryptographic Key Management.

At Leidos, we offer competitive benefits, and much more. Join us and make a difference in National Security!

• Paid Time Off
• 11 paid Holidays
• 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting
• Flexible Schedules
• Discounted Stock Purchase Plans
• Technical Upskilling
• Education and Training Support
• Parental Paid Leave
• and much more.

We are seeking a Senior Test Automation Engineer to design, build, and maintain automated test solutions for both REST APIs and web-based user interfaces. This role requires hands‑on expertise in Linux command-line tools, Python automation, containerized test execution using Docker/Podman, and CI/CD integration with Jenkins and GitLab. The successful candidate will also help evolve our in‑house automation framework by planning and executing the migration from legacy Robot Framework implementations to newer automation platforms.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, maintain, and enhance automated test suites for back-end REST APIs and web-based user interfaces.
• Build and maintain a scalable, reliable test automation harness (framework) including execution, reporting, data setup/teardown, and CI/CD integration.
• Implement and expand Python-based test automation using Pytest, including fixtures, test data strategies, and robust assertions/validation.
• Create and maintain Docker/Podman container images used to run automation consistently across developer environments and CI pipelines.
• Integrate automated test execution into Jenkins and GitLab CI/CD pipelines, ensuring repeatable runs, clear reporting, and actionable results.
• Use Linx command-line tools and Bash shell scripting to locate, parse, transform, and report on large volumes of logs, test output, and system data.
• Support and extend UI automation using Robot Framework and the Python Selenium library, including test stability improvements and best practices.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to plan, estimate, and break down work for migrating the current in-house test harness from legacy Robot Framework to a modern alternative (e.g., Robot Framework AIO or Microsoft Playwright).
• Write and maintain SQL queries (using SQL Developer or similar tooling) and integrate database validation steps into automated tests were appropriate.
• Troubleshoot CI failures and test irregularity/volatility, improve test reliability, and contribute to continuous improvement of the overall QA automation approach.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors Degree in a related technical field of study and 12 or more years of related experience. Candidates without bachelors degrees will require additional years of experience and will be considered on a case by case basis.
• Strong experience with Linux and Bash shell scripting, with demonstrated ability to work effectively from the command‑line and process/report on large data sets (logs, test artifacts, results).
• Advanced experience building test automation in Python, including Pytest-based frameworks and best practices for maintainable automated testing.
• Strong hands‑on experience with Docker (or Podman) including building, versioning, and maintaining images used in automation and CI/CD workflows.
• Working knowledge of Jenkins and GitLab pipelines, including running containerized workloads and managing automated test stages.
• Experience with REST API testing, including validation of responses, authentication flows, and negative/error-path testing.
• Familiarity with Robot Framework UI automation using Selenium library (Python).
• Solid understanding of how to architect a test automation harness/framework for UI and/or API testing (test structure , configuration, reporting, environment management).
• Familiarity with SQL and tools such as SQL Developer, including writing queries and using them within automated validation steps.
• Security Clearance Requirement: Active TS/SCI with polygraph

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience planning and executing test automation framework migrations (e.g., Robot Framework to Microsoft Playwright or Robot Framework AIO).
• Experience improving CI performance, parallelization, and test execution efficiency in containerized environments.
• Strong debugging skills across services, CI logs, containers, and test reporting outputs.

WORKING STYLE / WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• Builds reliable, maintainable automation that can be executed consistently in CI and local environments.
• Produces clear, actionable test reporting and contributes to reducing fickle tests and pipeline noise.
• Takes ownership of framework-level improvements, including planning and breaking work into deliverable increments.
• Collaborates effectively with engineering and QA stakeholders to ensure automation aligns with product and release needs.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We’re not hiring followers. We’re recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We’re already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

July 17, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $116,350.00 - $210,325.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [e-mail].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.