Quality Assurance Engineer II (Automation) 100% Remote

About the Company

Unissant, Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals.

About the Role

Unissant is seeking a Senior Automation QA Engineer to support its Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) client in the Baltimore–Washington Metro area. The role focuses on building durable, reusable, API-first automation solutions that validate service integrations and end-to-end data movement within an enterprise development environment.

You will work with agile teams to develop Java-based automation frameworks, validate complex backend systems and sensitive datasets, and integrate automated testing into CI/CD pipelines. This is a remote position focused exclusively on backend and API automation, with no UI automation responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and build API-first automation frameworks from the ground up using Java-based technologies.
• Develop reusable Java libraries, utilities, and framework components for API and backend testing.
• Define and execute data-validation strategies for sensitive datasets, including Protected Health Information (PHI).
• Build utilities for payload validation, data reconciliation, and comparison reporting.
• Apply secure testing practices for PHI, including masking, anonymization, and auditability.
• Integrate automation suites into CI/CD pipelines and quality gates.
• Own the backend test strategy and collaborate with engineering teams to improve system testability.

Required Qualifications

• 6–10 years of hands-on experience in QA and automation.
• At least 3 years of experience building automation frameworks from scratch using Java.
• Strong experience in backend and API-first testing.
• Experience in regulated domains, including healthcare or federal government.
• Strong hands-on Java programming skills focused on automation framework development.
• Proven experience developing Java-based automation frameworks using tools such as REST Assured and TestNG/JUnit.
• Deep expertise in REST API automation, contract testing, and JSON/XML validation.
• Strong SQL skills for backend data validation, reconciliation, and defect troubleshooting.
• Experience working in sensitive data environments involving PHI/PII, including secure data-handling practices.
• Working knowledge of CI/CD tools such as Jenkins, GitLab, and/or Azure DevOps.
• Demonstrated experience in backend/API-focused automation; this role does not involve UI automation.
• Proven ownership of automation framework architecture, design, and implementation.
• Ability to work with complex, data-intensive backend systems and validate large-scale data flows.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a computer or scientific field.
• Testing certifications such as CTSE, CSQA, or CAST.
• Experience with regulated or sensitive data systems.

Communication Skills

• Ability to prepare clear and concise technical architecture documents.
• Ability to communicate with, inspire, and motivate individuals at different organizational levels, including client stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience communicating effectively across internal and external organizations.
• Ability to work effectively in a matrixed team environment.

Work Arrangement and Travel

• Remote position.
• No specific travel requirements are stated.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Primarily sedentary work in an office environment.
• May be required to lift up to 10 pounds.
• Flexibility to work extended hours when required by mission or project demands.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Unissant, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and welcomes qualified applicants regardless of sex, disability, or veteran status.