QA Automation Engineer - Contractor (Preferred Chile-based, Remote)

About This Opportunit

yVariacode is partnering with a growing international SaaS company to help them expand their engineering team into Latin America. Our client is a well-established organization with ~70 employees working in a fully distributed environment. They're looking to hire their first technical professional in Chile as part of their LATAM expansion strategy

.
The Ro

leWe're seeking an experienced QA Automation Engineer for a 6-month contractor position with potential for long-term collaboration. You'll join a product team working on a specific business-critical module, where you'll help transform their quality assurance practice

s.Current Contex

• t:Existing QA team: 2 intermediate-level engineers focused primarily on manual testi
• ngCurrent automated test coverage: ~2
• 5%Tech stack: React (frontend), PHP (backend), AWS infrastructu
• reCurrent QA tools: Selenium, TestNG, Ja
• vaOpen to exploring modern alternatives like Playwrig

htThis is an exciting opportunity to lead the modernization of their testing infrastructure and establish best practices for the tea

m.
Key Responsibilit

• iesAssess the current Selenium/Java test automation setup and create an improvement road
• mapDesign and implement automated test suites for critical functionalities within the Shops product feature
• setEvaluate and potentially lead a migration from Selenium to more modern tools (e.g., Playwrig
• ht)Mentor and upskill the existing QA team in automation best practi
• cesCollaborate with development teams to promote quality engineering practi
• cesCommunicate progress, challenges, and recommendations to technical leaders

hip
Technical Requirem

• entsStrong experience with Selenium and/or Playwright for test automa
• tionProficiency in Java, Python, or JavaScript for test automa
• tionExperience with React applications tes
• tingKnowledge of PHP backend testing approa
• chesHands-on experience with AWS services and cloud-based tes
• tingTrack record of improving test coverage from low baselines (~25% or l
• ess)Experience with CI/CD pipelines and test integra

tion
Ideal Candidate Pr

• ofileAutonomous professional with strong initiative and problem-solving s
• killsExperience transforming manual QA processes into automated frame
• worksProven ability to mentor intermediate-level QA engi
• neersExperience working in fully remote, distributed
• teamsExcellent communication skills and fluency in English (written and ve
• rbal)Comfortable proposing and leading technical ch
• angesTrack record of working with legacy systems and modernizing

them
Contract D

• etailsDuration: 6-month initial contract with potential for ext
• ensionLocation: Chile (remote position, must be based in
• Chile)Type: Full-time contractor through Var
• iacodeWork Schedule: Aligned with US/Canada time

zones
Why This Role

MattersYou'll be the first technical hire in Chile for this company, setting the foundation for their LATAM expansion. Your success will directly influence their future regional strategy and could lead to building a large

r team.