Automation Engineer (Playwright)

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Kforce's client in Minneapolis, MN is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to design, build, and maintain automated testing solutions for modern web-based applications built on Node.js. This role focuses on end-to-end (E2E) and integration testing using Playwright, with strong emphasis on validating UI workflows, backend services, and API interactions.

Responsibilities:
* Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks using Playwright for web applications
* Build robust end-to-end (E2E), regression, and integration tests for Node.js-based systems
* Create reusable test components, utilities, and test data strategies to support scalable automation
* Validate UI workflows across modern web browsers (Chromium, Firefox, WebKit)
* Perform API-level testing (REST/JSON) to validate backend services, data integrity, and service interactions
* Leverage Playwright capabilities such as network interception, mocking, and request validation to isolate UI vs API defects
* Ensure consistent testing coverage across frontend, middleware, and backend layers
* Work closely with Node.js engineers to understand application architecture, service flows, and deployment models
* Review application designs and user stories to identify test scenarios early in the SDLC
* Partner with developers to troubleshoot test failures and identify root causes across UI and API layers
* Integrate automated test suites into CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitHub Actions, Jenkins, Azure DevOps)
* Enable automated test execution as part of build, merge, and deployment workflows
* Monitor test results, trends, and flaky tests; Continuously improve reliability and execution time
* Promote automation best practices
* Ensure test coverage aligns with functional, integration, and release-risk areas
* Document test strategies, frameworks, and execution guidelines for team adoption

REQUIREMENTS:
* 3-5+ years of experience in QA Automation or Software Testing roles
* Hands-on experience with Playwright for automated testing
* Strong proficiency in JavaScript and/or TypeScript, with working knowledge of Node.js applications
* Experience testing web-based applications with complex user workflows
* Solid understanding of API testing concepts (RESTful services, HTTP methods, status codes, JSON payloads)
* Experience integrating automated tests into CI/CD pipelines
* Familiarity with Git-based version control and Agile/Scrum environments

Preferred/Nice-to-Have:
* Experience testing applications built with modern frontend frameworks (React, Angular, Vue)
* Knowledge of test data management and environment configuration
* Experience with performance, security, or contract testing (nice-to-have)
* Exposure to cloud-native environments (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform)
* Understanding of microservices and event-driven architectures

The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.

We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.

Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.

This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.

Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

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