> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/164982-senior-staff-software-engineer-with-qe-automation-focus](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/164982-senior-staff-software-engineer-with-qe-automation-focus). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior Staff Software Engineer (with QE/ Automation Focus) - **Company:** The Hartford - **Location:** Chicago, IL, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $127,600.0 - $191,400.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), .NET Framework, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Agile Methodology, Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Automation of Tests, Software as a Service, Distributed Systems, Junit, Mainframes, Nunit, Reliability Engineering, Software Reliability Testing, Selenium, Software Engineering, Testng, Postman, Spring Cloud, Cypress (Programming Language), Generative AI, Pytest, Information Technology, Playwright, Integration Frameworks, Service Stack, Microservices - **Published:** May 19, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=1e0d9b34d09053fb ## About the Role * Experience: 8+ years of software engineering experience, including 5+ years in Quality Engineering, Test Automation, or Quality leadership roles. * Technical & Engineering Expertise: Demonstrated experience testing and automating for diverse technology platforms (E.g. Java, .NET, SaaS, COTS, and Mainframe) including cloud-native applications on AWS and/or GCP, including containerized and microservices-based architectures along with strong experience in API and contract testing (e.g., REST Assured, Postman/Newman) and performance, resilience, and reliability testing practices. * Test Automation & Quality Engineering: Advanced experience designing and scaling test automation frameworks across application tiers, with hands-on expertise in modern test tools and frameworks such as Playwright, Cypress, Selenium, JUnit/TestNG, NUnit, and PyTest. * Quality Metrics & Outcomes: Proven ability to define, track, and leverage Quality and Quality Execution metrics to drive measurable improvements such as defect reduction and defect leakage prevention. * Agile & Scaled Delivery: Demonstrated track record of testing and quality execution within Agile and Scaled Agile frameworks, including sprint-level testing, end-to-end validation, and regression/stabilization testing. * Leadership & Strategic Balance: Proven ability to balance hands-on technical delivery with strategic leadership, influencing quality practices across teams and technology stacks. * Soft Skills: Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, coaching, and collaboration skills, with the ability to translate quality risks into clear business and engineering trade-offs., * AI & Innovation: Experience applying AI and GenAI tools to improve testing efficiency, effectiveness, and overall engineering productivity. * Domain Knowledge: Experience within insurance, financial services, or other highly regulated domains is a plus. * Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field preferred This role will have a Hybrid work schedule, with the expectation of working in an office 3 days a week Candidates must be authorized to work in the US without company sponsorship. The company will not support the STEM OPT I-983 Training Plan endorsement for this position. ## Description The Hartford is searching for a Sr Staff Software Engineer within the Personal Lines organization specializing in Quality Engineering and QA as we deliver on our strategic investment portfolio through our value streams. This role will serve as both a hands-on technical contributor and a strategic quality leader and is responsible for designing, building, and evolving quality engineering practices across a hybrid technology landscape that includes modern cloud-native platforms as well as vendor-based systems. The ideal candidate combines deep engineering expertise with strong leadership, influence, and a pragmatic approach to improving quality at scale., * Quality Engineering Strategy & Operating Model: Define, evolve, and govern the Quality Engineering strategy, standards, and operating model to ensure consistent, scalable, and high-quality delivery. * Test Automation Architecture & Frameworks: Design, implement, and maintain robust automated test frameworks across application, enabling reliable and repeatable validation of complex systems. * Hands-On Test Automation & Problem Solving: Drive test automation through hands-on creation of automated test cases, review of automation delivered by teams, and resolution of complex automation challenges. * Defect Analysis & System Diagnostics: Diagnose and resolve complex defects across distributed systems and third-party integrations. * System Testability & Reliability Engineering: Improve system testability, observability, and reliability through direct code contributions and collaboration on system and application design. * End-to-End Quality Execution: Facilitate and manage end to end quality execution, ensuring business capabilities are delivered with high quality from ideation through production. * Mentorship & Engineering Excellence: Mentor engineers and SDETs on quality engineering best practices, automation patterns, and scalable test design approaches. * AI & GenAI-Driven Innovation: Drive the adoption and effective use of AI and GenAI tools to improve testing efficiency, effectiveness, and overall engineering productivity. ## Related Videos - [How I Built QA from Scratch in a Scaling Startup - no fluff real life story](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2041-how-i-built-qa-from-scratch-in-a-scaling-startup-no-fluff-real-life-story) - [pytest: Simple, rapid and fun testing with Python](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/213-pytest-simple-rapid-and-fun-testing-with-python) - [How Unit Testing Saved My Career](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1642-how-unit-testing-saved-my-career) - [Automagic Configuration in Python](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/363-automagic-configuration-in-python) - [From boy scouting to redrawing the landscape](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1140-from-boy-scouting-to-redrawing-the-landscape) - [Self-service Quality: QA Without QA](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100184-self-service-quality-qa-without-qa) ## Related Articles - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [The 8 Best Code Testing Tools](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/402-the-8-best-code-testing-tools) - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline)