Automation/SDET Test Engineer

About the role

The role involves designing, developing, automating, and executing smoke, functional, integration, system, and end‑to‑end tests using modern automation frameworks to validate system functionality, component interoperability, and full workflow correctness against business requirements.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain automated regression suites, ensuring reliability and preventing defect reoccurrence by continuously executing regression tests after each build and release.
• Create, optimize, and maintain comprehensive automated test cases using a risk‑based testing approach to prioritize critical scenarios and maximize coverage.
• Perform UI automation for web applications and API automation for REST/SOAP services, including validation of request/response payloads, status codes, schema compliance, and API contract adherence.
• Log, track, and triage defects; perform automated defect verification and retesting; contribute to root cause analysis to accelerate remediation.
• Code, debug, and troubleshoot Java automation scripts daily, ensuring high quality, modular, reusable, and scalable automation components.
• Collaborate with developers, QA, and product teams to align test plans, automated coverage, and acceptance criteria with evolving business requirements; participate in design and review sessions to identify automation opportunities early.
• Develop configurable, maintainable, reusable automation libraries; execute automated test plans; generate detailed reports; support analysis of test results and contribute to diagnosis of complex system issues.
• Prepare, manage, and automate test data; conduct peer reviews of automated test scripts; ensure adherence to coding and testing standards.
• Support setup and maintenance of test environments, automation infrastructure, CI/CD pipelines, and criteria for converting manual test cases into automated scripts.
• Work closely with manual testers to identify automatable scenarios and guide test case conversion; perform manual testing when necessary to build functional knowledge or validate automation gaps.
• Identify technical and operational issues across installed systems, products, and services and provide automated validation where appropriate.
• Participate in production deployment testing, remediation activities, and release readiness, leveraging automated suites for rapid and repeatable validation.
• Perform additional automation or testing responsibilities as assigned, supporting special projects, cross‑team initiatives, and continuous improvement of the automation strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree specializing in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) or a closely related field from an accredited college or university, or equivalent combination of directly related education and/or experience.
• Typically requires at least 4+ years of relevant experience; 6‑10 years of relevant experience is preferred.
• Must have experience with Playwright + Java.
• Must have experience with Java Rest Assured framework.
• Must have experience integrating automated tests within the CI/CD pipeline.
• Must have experience with Playwright Automation Framework using Java, experience with UFT and VB scripting, and functional testing experience.
• Must have experience with API automation using Java Rest Assured or similar frameworks, and hands‑on experience with Postman for API testing.
• Experience with test management tools including XRAY or similar tools for test case management, execution, and traceability.
• Experience with multiple automation programming languages and multiple quality assurance testing tools.
• Intermediate Level Quality Assurance Engineer methodologies and practices.
• Knowledge of the Software Development Life Cycle and the importance of the QA function within the framework.
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software, operating systems, browsers, Internet navigation, and downloading/installing software (e.g., SQL, Oracle, business objects, web technologies, authentication or security technologies).
• Knowledge of multiple software development methodologies such as Waterfall, Iterative, Agile, and Behavior‑driven development.
• Working knowledge of test case management and execution using test management tools.
• Experience implementing and auditing automated test methodology and QA standards.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, etc.).
• Intermediate verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships.
• Ability to problem‑solve programming languages.
• Strong analytical, multitasking, and time‑management skills.
• Ability to perform independent research and analysis and draw logical conclusions.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly matrix or virtual organization.
• Performs most work independently with general supervision and direction; may consult with management or more senior staff in decision making.
• Good communication and team player.

Benefits

• Healthcare Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees and their dependents healthcare coverage through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full‑time employment with Synectics. Premiums are subsidized by Synectics.
• Dental Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees and their dependents a dental plan through MetLife. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full‑time employment with Synectics.
• Vision Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees vision insurance through VSP. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full‑time employment with Synectics.
• 401(k) Plan: The Synectics Inc. Investment Savings Retirement Plan. Synectics offers all employees who are 21 years of age or older the opportunity to invest in the 401(k) Plan on the first of the month following at least 1 calendar year after employment begins.