Automation Architect with Utility domain for 6+ months contract to hire - Remote.

Note: "No third party candidates considered for this position" Title: Automation Architect Location: Remote with travel (1x per month to client location in Baltimore) Duration: 6+ Months Contract to hire Interviews: MS Teams Job Description: Must Haves • 10 15+ years of experience in Automation Testing, Test Engineering, or a similar role with progression toward technical leadership. • Deep hands-on expertise with Playwright, including framework design, optimization, and test orchestration. • Strong understanding of software testing methodologies, automation strategies, CI/CD integration, and industry best practices. • Excellent analytical, architectural thinking, and problem solving skills with high attention to detail. • Proven ability to operate as a hands-on technical contributor while also guiding automation strategy. Job Description: We are seeking a highly skilled Automation Architect who is passionate about building scalable, maintainable, and robust automation solutions. In this role, you will lead the design and evolution of our automation frameworks, elevate testing standards, and ensure high-quality delivery across our software ecosystem. You will partner closely with engineering, product, and delivery teams to architect automation strategies, expand our automation coverage, and drive a culture of quality engineering. This role requires strong technical depth, architectural mindset, and the ability to dive deep into application domains quickly. Key Responsibilities: • Automation Architecture & Framework Ownership • Architect, design, and enhance Playwright-based automation frameworks to support functional, regression, integration, and data-driven testing needs. • Develop scalable, modular test automation solutions aligned with CI/CD pipelines and evolving product needs. • Introduce best practices for maintainability, reusability, performance, and test governance across applications. • Hands-On Test Design & Execution • Continue to contribute hands-on by developing high-quality automated test scripts based on User Stories, Acceptance Criteria, and technical specifications. • Perform exploratory, manual, and automated testing when needed to validate complex scenarios and edge cases. • Defect Management & Quality Assurance • Identify, analyze, and document software defects; validate fixes through targeted automation and manual retesting. • Ensure test coverage is maximized through robust automation planning and continuous refinement of test suites. • Cross-Functional Collaboration • Work closely with developers, product owners, analysts, and project managers to ensure clarity of requirements and aligned expectations. • Participate in Agile ceremonies, providing architectural input to improve User Story readiness and testability. • Data & Backend Validation • Use SQL to query databases, validate backend workflows, and support data-driven testing strategies. • Create, modify, and manage test data to support comprehensive testing scenarios. • Quality Process Leadership • Drive continuous improvement across testing processes, automation standards, and engineering practices. • Provide technical guidance to testers and engineers on automation patterns, tooling usage, and best practices. • Advocate for shift-left testing, ensuring early involvement and early detection of defects. • Business & Domain Understanding • Rapidly learn application workflows, business rules, and system interactions to architect test coverage effectively. • Identify high risk areas and ensure targeted automation strategies to mitigate them. Qualifications Rockstar Candidates Preferred • 10 + years of experience as an Automation Tester, SDET, or equivalent technical QA role. • Strong expertise in Playwright and modern automation practices. • Strong grasp of testing methodologies, automation architecture, and QA strategy. • Exceptional analytical, troubleshooting, and problem solving abilities. • Ability to communicate automation strategy and design rationale to both technical and non-technical audiences. • Utility experience is required. Skills: Automation Architect, Playwright, CI/CD, Utility Domain Apply tot his job Apply To this Job