[Hiring] QA Automation Engineer @Koniag Government Services, LLC

Role Description

Koniag Data Solutions, a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking an experienced QA Automation Engineer to support the USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Commodity Treatment Information System – Modernization (CTIS‑M) program. This fully remote role will perform comprehensive quality assurance activities—including manual testing, automated testing, test case development, and UAT support—across all CTIS‑M Regulated Garbage (RG) workflows.

The QA Automation Engineer will collaborate closely with developers, business analysts, UI/UX designers, and federal stakeholders to verify functionality, validate workflow logic, and ensure system quality aligns with USDA, APHIS, and CTIS‑M modernization standards. This role plays a key part in sprint execution, automation framework enhancement, regression coverage, and pipeline integration. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.

Essential Job Functions

• Automation Development & Execution
  • Develop automated UI and API test scripts using Cypress and Playwright.
  • Validate .NET 8 APIs, React UI flows, and workflow logic across CTIS‑M RG modules.
  • Build and maintain reusable automation frameworks tailored to RG workflows and CTIS‑M architecture.
  • Integrate automated test suites into Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines.
  • Create automated triggers for feature branches, environments, and release pipelines.
  • Analyze pipeline failures and interpret error logs to identify root causes.
• Manual Testing & Test Case Development
  • Write comprehensive manual test cases and execute smoke, functional, and regression tests.
  • Perform detailed validation of RG workflows such as inspections, observations, incident reporting, monitoring steps, and Compliance Agreement processes.
  • Validate Azure SQL database integrity and data flow consistency across RG processes.
  • Support UAT by preparing scenarios, assisting users, and validating acceptance criteria.
• QA Documentation & Traceability
  • Maintain and update Azure DevOps Test Plans, test suites, and execution records.
  • Log defects with complete traceability to requirements, user stories, builds, test steps, and acceptance criteria.
  • Ensure alignment with CTIS‑M documentation standards and sprint deliverable expectations.
  • Assist with creation and maintenance of user manual and job aids.
• Agile Delivery & Collaboration
  • Participate in Agile ceremonies including backlog refinement, sprint planning, daily scrums, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.
  • Provide input on user story definition, acceptance criteria, and testability.
  • Work closely with developers and designers to troubleshoot defects, verify fixes, and ensure clean handoff to production.
• Process Improvement
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of QA processes, automation strategies, and testing best practices.
  • Recommend enhancements that increase coverage, efficiency, or accuracy in automation and manual testing workflows.

Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience with Cypress, Playwright, or similar UI automation frameworks.
• Strong understanding of CI/CD practices using Azure DevOps.
• Experience testing .NET back‑end services and React front‑end applications.
• Ability to write and maintain automated tests scripts, and manual test cases.
• Ability to configure test data on test sites.
• Experience working in Agile Scrum environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance and meet federal suitability requirements.

Requirements

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• Must meet all Federal suitability requirements.

Good to Have – But Not Required

• Experience testing systems supporting compliance, inspections, enforcement, or regulatory workflows.
• Familiarity with USDA APHIS, CTIS‑M, or other federal IT modernization programs.
• Knowledge of Section 508 accessibility testing or automated accessibility toolsets.
• Experience with performance, load, or stress testing.
• Background implementing QA frameworks for multi‑module workflow systems.
• Experience supporting data validation, audit traceability, and FOIA‑relevant testing.
• Strong ability to collaborate with multi‑agency or cross-functional technical teams.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Paid time off.
• Paid parental leave.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Commuter benefits.
• Tuition reimbursement.