Senior Test Automation Engineer

Leidos Inc; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 116,350 - 210,325; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

11 paid Holidays

401K with company match

Education and Training Support

Job summary

Leidos Inc. invites an experienced Senior Test Automation Engineer to design, build, and maintain automated test solutions for REST APIs and web UIs. The role requires Linux command-line expertise, Python automation, Docker/Podman, and CI/CD integration with Jenkins and GitLab.

You will evolve the in-house framework and migrate from Robot Framework to modern platforms. The candidate will develop scalable test harnesses, write SQL validations, and collaborate across teams to improve reliability

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical field with substantial experience.
• Proficient in Linux and Bash with large data processing experience.
• Advanced Python-based test automation with Pytest.
• Hands-on Docker/Podman experience for automation and CI/CD.
• Experience with REST API testing and UI automation (Selenium).
• Experience with Robot Framework UI automation and migrations to Playwright or similar.
• Security clearance: Active TS/SCI with polygraph.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and enhance automated test suites for REST APIs and UI.
• Build a scalable test automation framework with CI/CD integration.
• Implement Python-based automation with robust data strategies and fixtures.
• Create and maintain Docker/Podman images for consistent test execution.
• Integrate test runs into Jenkins and GitLab pipelines with clear reporting.
• Migrate legacy Robot Framework to modern platforms (e.g., Playwright).
• Write and execute SQL-based validations within tests.
• Troubleshoot CI failures and improve test reliability.

Skills

Linux

Bash scripting

Python

Pytest

Docker/Podman

Jenkins

GitLab

REST API testing

Robot Framework

Selenium (Python)

SQL

Security clearance TS/SCI

CI/CD pipelines

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a related technical field

Tools

Robot Framework

Selenium

SQL Developer

Jenkins

GitLab

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, including 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. Join us and make a difference in National Security!

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 when 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.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $116,350.00 - $210,325.00.

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.

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.