Senior Test Engineer - 25k Sign on Bonus

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

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus $25k

Paid time off

401K with company match

Education and training support

Parental paid leave

Flexible schedules

Discounted stock purchase

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Senior Test Engineer in the Intelligence Sector's CABA to design, build, and maintain automated test solutions for REST APIs and web UIs. The role requires hands-on Linux, Python automation, Docker/Podman, and CI/CD with Jenkins and GitLab.

You will evolve our automation framework, migrate from Robot Framework to modern tools, and work with SQL for data validation. A TS/SCI with polygraph clearance is required and a sign-on bonus is offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field with 12+ years of related experience (or equivalent).
• Strong Linux and Bash command-line skills for large data sets (logs, results).
• Advanced Python automation development including Pytest.
• Hands-on Docker/Podman for automation and CI/CD workflows.
• Experience with Jenkins and GitLab pipelines for containerized workloads.
• REST API testing including auth flows and error paths.
• Robot Framework UI automation with Selenium library (Python).
• Designing scalable test harnesses for UI and API testing.
• SQL queries and automated validation steps.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and enhance automated test suites for REST APIs and web UIs.
• Build a scalable test automation harness with CI/CD integration.
• Implement Python-based test automation with Pytest and fixtures.
• Create and maintain Docker/Podman images for consistent runs.
• Integrate automated tests into Jenkins and GitLab pipelines.
• Use Linux/Linx tooling to parse and report on logs and data.
• Support and extend UI automation with Robot Framework and Selenium.
• Plan migration of in-house tests to modern frameworks (e.g., Playwright).
• Write SQL queries and embed validations in tests.
• Troubleshoot CI failures and improve test reliability.

Skills

Linux command-line

Bash scripting

Python automation

Pytest

Docker/Podman

CI/CD

REST API testing

Robot Framework UI

Selenium

SQL queries

TS/SCI with polygraph

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related technical field

Tools

Docker

Podman

Jenkins

GitLab CI/CD

Selenium

Robot Framework

Playwright

SQL Developer

Job description

Description

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Senior Test 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! This position is eligible for a 25k sign on bonus!

We are seeking a Senior Test 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

October 13, 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.

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.