QA Automation Engineer (Remote)

Title: QA Automation Engineer (Remote)

Location: Maryland, USA

Applications for this position will be accepted through November 30, 2026

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.

 

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off, paid parental leave, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement.

 

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.

 

Minimum 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.

 

Security 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.

 

Our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy:

The company is an equal opportunity employer. The company shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity (except where gender is a bona fide occupational qualification), national origin or ancestry, age, disability, citizenship, military/veteran status, marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to equal employment opportunity in all decisions related to employment, promotion, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment.  

 

The company is dedicated to seeking all qualified applicants. If you require an accommodation to navigate or to apply to a position on our website, please contact Heaven Wood via e-mail at or by calling to request accommodations.  

 

Koniag Government Services (KGS) is an Alaska Native Owned corporation supporting the values and traditions of our native communities through an agile employee and corporate culture that delivers Enterprise Solutions, Professional Services and Operational Management to Federal Government Agencies. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Koniag, we apply our proven commercial solutions to a deep knowledge of Defense and Civilian missions to provide forward leaning technical, professional, and operational solutions. KGS enables successful mission outcomes for our customers through solution-oriented business partnerships and a commitment to exceptional service delivery. We ensure long-term success with a continuous improvement approach while balancing the collective interests of our customers, employees, and native communities. For more information, please visit www.koniag-gs.com. 

 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. Shareholder Preference in accordance with Public Law 88-352