Principal Automation Engineer

E2 Consulting Engineers, Inc. (E2) is a professional services firm established in 1988 specializing in a full spectrum of engineering services including project engineering and design, federal base operations and infrastructure support services, gas pipeline construction and inspection services, environmental consulting and remediation, and information technology services.

Overview

The Principal Automation Engineer will play a dual role — leading automation strategy and contributing hands-on to the design and build of automation frameworks and solutions. This individual will serve as the senior-most technical expert on the automation team, driving innovation and technical excellence in the automation of desktop-based applications and systems. Tosca or other enterprise-grade test automation platforms are required. The candidate must live in the PST time zone.

Responsibilities

Role Overview (25% Leadership / 75% Hands-On Technical Work)

• Architect and design robust automation frameworks specifically for desktop applications, ensuring scalability, maintainability, and long-term adaptability across multiple platforms and technologies.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship, guiding the automation team through complex design challenges and promoting best practices in automation engineering.
• Develop and enhance automation strategies covering desktop, API, and database layers, integrating them into CI/CD processes to ensure continuous quality and reliability.
• Partner closely with application SMEs, domain architects, infrastructure teams, and project managers to align automation initiatives with business and technical goals.
• Analyze existing manual testing processes for desktop software and identify opportunities to replace or augment them with automated solutions.
• Maintain, evolve, and optimize the in-house automation framework, ensuring compatibility and efficiency across desktop environments and configurations.
• Participate in root cause analysis and troubleshooting efforts, driving cross-team collaboration to identify and resolve defects efficiently.
• Provide detailed estimates, solution designs, and test automation strategies for upcoming desktop-based projects.
  
  

Qualifications

The Essentials

• 10 years of hands-on experience designing, building, and maintaining test automation frameworks, with a strong focus on desktop application testing (Windows, .NET, or similar environments).
• Proven expertise in framework architecture and design patterns for test automation, including component-based, modular, and data-driven approaches.
• Strong understanding of desktop UI automation tools and libraries (e.g., WinAppDriver, White, Pywinauto, FlaUI, TestStack, or equivalent).
• Experience developing automation for APIs, packaged, and custom desktop applications.
• 7 years of experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders across engineering, QA, and business units to align automation goals and deliver enterprise-grade solutions.
• Proficiency in one or more programming/scripting languages (Python, .NET, C#, Java, Bash, etc.) for building automation utilities and integrating frameworks.
• Strong SQL skills, including writing and maintaining queries, interacting with relational databases, and designing simple schema updates to support test automation.
• Hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines, enabling desktop test automation to execute autonomously in build and deployment workflows.
• Comfortable working in both Windows and Linux environments for cross-platform automation support.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of articulating technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  
  

Nice to Have

• Experience using Tosca or other enterprise-grade test automation platforms.
• Prior experience in the utility or energy industry, or in other large-scale operational environments.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
  
  

Benefits

E2 Consulting Engineers, Inc. offers an excellent benefits package including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, 401(k) with employer match, paid time off.

Wage Data Per State Requirements

Salary range for this position is $165,000 - $195,000. The starting salary will be commensurate with skill, education, experience, and working environment.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The ability to sit/ stand for up to 8 hours per day.
• The ability to move freely for up to 8 hours per day.
  
  

Drug Free Workplace

E2 Consulting Engineers, Inc. is a Drug Free Workplace. After accepting an offer of employment, applicants may be required to undergo background checks, drug testing, and/or fit-for-duty physical examination. Drug screens will include, but not be limited to, Amphetamines, Cocaine Metabolites, Marijuana Metabolites (THC), Opiates, and Phencyclidine (PCP). As a federal contractor, E2 cannot permit employees in certain positions to use medical marijuana, even if prescribed by an authorized physician

Solicitation

Please no solicitation of any kind from agencies, staffing, or recruiting firms.

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.