QA Automation Engineer

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: QA Automation Engineer Job Title: Systems Analyst IV Agency: Health & Human Services Comm Department: Public Hlth Services Appl-425 Posting Number: 21168 Closing Date: 10/08/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Computer and Mathematical Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $6,701.75 Pay Frequency: Monthly Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Days (First) Telework: Travel: Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt Facility Location: Job Location City: AUSTIN Job Location Address: 701 W 51ST ST Other Locations: MOS Codes: 0171,8848,8858,181X,182X,1D7X1,255A,255S,25B,25D,25H,26B,62E,681X,682X,781X,CTI,CTM,CTR,CYB10,CYB11 ISM,IT,Z Prefix

Brief Job Description:

This position is open to U.S. Citizens and permanent residents.

This is a hybrid role based in Austin, TX and requires the selected candidate to work from an HHS office in Austin, Texas at least three (3) days a week.

Under the general supervision of the QA Manager in the Public Health Applications Division of HHS IT, the System Analyst IV (QA Automation Engineer) shall be responsible in setting up Test Automation Architecture, have Expertise in SDET, automation strategy, test automation framework and Test Plans, development, and maintenance of Automated Test scripts. This individual performs highly complex (senior-level) Quality Assurance work which involves working knowledge of tools such as playwright/TypeScript, JMeter, LoadRunner, GitHub, CI/CD, DevOps but not limited to daily coordination of Quality Assurance tasks, back-end and front-end testing including API, accessibility testing and other functionalities as required. Successful Candidate may assign and supervise the work of others, provide guidance to project team members to maintain the highest level of quality. This position shares responsibility for maintaining internal lines of crisp and clear communication with vendors and customers. Travel to other work locations may be required.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

EJF1: Automation Architecture and Framework Design

Framework Design: Define, build, and scale a robust Test Automation Framework from scratch to support application, systems, and functional testing.

Technical Standards: Provide critical technical input regarding adherence to coding standards and customer requirements across the framework architecture.

Risk & Architecture Strategy: Actively participate in the creation of automation test plans, approaches, and schedules while clearly communicating architectural quality risks and mitigation strategies.

EJF2: Playwright/TypeScript Scripting & Automation Core Duties

Script Development: Develop and write advanced Test Automation scripts utilizing modern tools, specifically Playwright with TypeScript following industry best practices.

Script Maintenance: Maintain, optimize, and update existing automated scripts to ensure continuous reliability amidst changing product functionalities.

Test Case Translation: Convert manual functional test cases into scalable automated regression suites within the core testing engine.

EJF3: CI/CD Integration & Technical Problem Solving

Pipeline Integration: Plug automated suites directly into the CI/CD pipeline to ensure continuous testing, rapid feedback loops, and gated deployments.

Test Data Engineering: Design, generate, and verify complex test data arrays required for cross-agency business system validations.

Advanced Troubleshooting: Autonomously document, communicate, and resolve complex code defects and environmental issues with minimal supervisory assistance.

EJF4: Specialized Testing & Tool Administration

Expanded Automation Duties: Oversee multi-layered quality initiatives including Functional, API testing, ADA Title III/Accessibility testing, and Performance Testing.

Administration of Tools: Manage and configure test management engines, execution grids, reporting suites, and change requests.

Execution & Reporting: Conduct requirements reviews, coordinate User Acceptance Testing (UAT), and generate advanced visual metrics and quality assurance health reports.

EJF5: Cross-Functional Leadership & Professional Governance

Stakeholder Communication: Communicate effectively with agency subject matter experts and support staff to align technical scripts with business requirements.

Schedule & Availability: Maintain a highly regular and predictable work schedule to support critical project deployment deadlines and perform other assigned duties.

Continuous Education: Pursue and participate in continuing education opportunities to master evolving automation tools and enhance interpersonal skills.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Expert knowledge of automation architecture, automation design patterns, multi-browser contexts, TypeScript to architect a scalable automation framework using playwright, seamlessly integrated into CI/CD pipelines with API & Database Integration for data seeding and backend validation, accessibility, and performance testing capabilities.

• Strong knowledge of data-driven quality metrics and performance measures

• Knowledge of event-driven architectures, microservices, and contract testing

• Knowledge of automation testing tools & frameworks (e.g., code generation, model-based testing, or anomaly detection in test data)

• Deep knowledge of modern test automation frameworks, Playwright, etc. and integration with CI/CD systems

• Strong knowledge of modern CI/CD & DevOps workflows, technical ability to configure docker containers and parallel execution, build triggers, and caching dependencies to reduce pipeline runtime.

• Scripting & Shells: Skilled in writing robust bash, shell, or python scripts to manage environment setups, file manipulations, and system-level triggers.

• Custom Reporting & Logging Engines: Skills to integrate and configure libraries (e.g., Allure, or Playwright’s native HTML reporter) and structured system logs for fast debugging.

• Skills and experience using HP ALM, UFT, JMeter, Load Runner, X-ray, Jira, Confluence or equivalent testing and management Tools.

• Proven skills and success designing and implementing automation frameworks across multiple platforms and architectures

• Strong skills in software architecture, APIs, and event-driven systems, with an understanding of how to design testability and observability

• Ability to analyze, coordinate and solve complex problems; work in a team environment; and handle multiple projects.

• Ability to effectively work both independently and with others.

• Ability to work under pressure under tight time constraints.

• Ability to create and verify test data.

• Ability to use creative thinking and planning to solve problems.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science or a related field is preferred. Education and experience may be substituted for one another on a year for year basis.

10+ years of software engineering or quality automation experience in large-scale, enterprise-grade systems

Experience working with cross-functional teams in complex environments requiring alignment, diplomacy, and influence preferred

Experience in writing clear and concise scenarios, business processes, workflows, process flows, test cases, and test plans.

Experience coordinating testing activities with the User Acceptance team and providing specific details on issues

8-10 years of experience in Test Automation, Automation Architecture, Automation Framework, Playwright/TypeScript.

Experience in cloud-native environments, Azure, with understanding of infrastructure automation and quality validation at deployment preferred

Experience with Programming, and continuous delivery preferred

Additional Information:

Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHSC Human Resources Manual.

Selected candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

This is a hybrid role based in Austin, TX and requires the selected candidate to work from an HHS office in Austin, Texas at least three (3) days a week.

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.