Junior QA Automation Engineer

Who is Element?
We serve as a partner at the intersection of innovation and our clients' needs, efficiently crafting meaningful user experiences for government and commercial customers. By breaking complex problems down into their fundamental elements, we create modern digital solutions that drive efficiency, maximize taxpayer dollars, and deliver essential outcomes that serve the people. 
Why Work at Element?
Make an impact that resonates-join our vibrant team and discover how you can improve lives through digital transformation.  Our talented professionals bring unparalleled energy and engagement, setting a higher standard for impactful work. Be a part of our team and shape a better future. 
Position Summary
Element Solutions is looking for a reliable and has a readiness to learn Junior QA Automation Engineer.  The Junior QA Automation Engineer supports the design, development, execution, and maintenance of automated software tests to help ensure the quality, functionality, reliability, and performance of applications and systems. This role develops and maintains test scripts, executes test cases, identifies and documents defects, and assists with troubleshooting and debugging software issues.
Working under the supervision of senior QA engineers, software developers, and technical leads, the Junior QA Automation Engineer follows established testing procedures and technical specifications to validate application functionality and identify opportunities to improve software quality. The position collaborates with development and project teams throughout the software development lifecycle and contributes to the continuous improvement of testing practices, automation tools, and quality assurance processes.

Key Responsibilities
Test Automation and Development Develop, execute, and maintain automated test scripts based on established requirements, technical specifications, and test plans. Write and modify test code to validate application functionality, system behavior, and expected results. Assist in creating automated tests for new features, enhancements, bug fixes, and existing application functionality. Update, repair, and expand existing test scripts and automation frameworks under the guidance of senior team members. Support the development and maintenance of reusable test components to improve testing efficiency and consistency. Execute automated and manual test cases as needed to validate application functionality. Assist with integrating automated tests into continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) workflows. Software Testing and Quality Assurance Perform functional, regression, integration, and smoke testing to verify that applications meet established requirements. Review requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria to understand expected application behavior and identify test scenarios. Validate application outputs, data processing, user interactions, and system responses against expected results. Identify, document, and report software defects with clear reproduction steps, supporting evidence, and expected versus actual results. Retest corrected defects and perform regression testing to ensure changes do not introduce new issues. Assist with testing across different browsers, environments, configurations, and platforms as required. Follow established QA procedures, test standards, and documentation practices. Debugging and Issue Resolution Investigate test failures and assist in determining whether issues originate from application defects, test scripts, test data, or environmental conditions. Debug and troubleshoot basic automation scripts and testing issues under the guidance of experienced team members. Collaborate with software developers to reproduce defects, clarify findings, and verify corrective actions. Update test scripts and test cases as applications and requirements change. Escalate complex technical issues, recurring failures, and potential quality risks to senior QA engineers or technical leads. Documentation and Collaboration Maintain accurate test cases, test scripts, test results, defect reports, and related technical documentation. Participate in requirements reviews, sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and other Agile development activities as appropriate. Collaborate with QA engineers, software developers, business analysts, and project stakeholders to support quality objectives. Assist with identifying gaps in test coverage and recommend improvements to test scenarios and automation processes. Follow established coding standards, version control practices, and software development procedures. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or Associates degree plus two years' experience. 0-2 years of experience in software testing, quality assurance, test automation, or application development. Relevant internships, academic projects, and practical training may be considered. Foundational knowledge of programming concepts and at least one programming or scripting language, such as Python, Java, JavaScript, or C#. Understanding of software testing principles, including test cases, test execution, defect reporting, and regression testing. Basic ability to read, write, and troubleshoot automated test scripts. Familiarity with software development lifecycles and Agile development practices. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills. Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document technical issues clearly. Ability to follow technical specifications, work under guidance, and collaborate effectively with a development team. Must live in the Continental US. Be either a US citizen or Permanent Resident due to the work we do. Depending on agency requirements, you may need to possess or obtain a Public Trust designation or security clearance. Regardless of the specific requirement, all positions require the successful completion of a background check, background investigation, and the standard onboarding process.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience in government contracting, healthcare CMS (Center of Medicare & Medicaid) or in the health industry. Exposure to test automation frameworks or tools such as Selenium, Playwright, Cypress, or comparable technologies. Familiarity with API testing tools such as Postman. Basic understanding of SQL and database validation. Exposure to version control tools such as Git. Familiarity with CI/CD tools and automated testing within build and deployment pipelines. Experience using defect tracking and test management tools such as Jira, Azure DevOps, or comparable platforms. Understanding of web applications, RESTful APIs, and client-server architecture. Experience working on academic, internship, or personal projects involving software development or automated testing. Qualified individuals living in HUBZone-certified areas are strongly encouraged to apply. To find out if you live in a HUBZone go to: https://maps.certify.sba.gov/hubzone/map#center=44.722800,-103.249700&zoom=4 .

Our People
We invest in the lives of our employees, both in and out of the workplace, by providing competitive pay and benefits packages. Benefits offered may include health care, dental, vision, life insurance; 401(k); paid time off including PTO, holidays, and any other paid leave required by law. 
Location
Be in your Element. We are a remote first company based out of Washington, DC. As a HUBZone-certified business we are committed to supporting local economic development. 
 
Element is an equal opportunity employer  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected class. 
We believe in a world where solutions we build improve the lives of those who use them.