Lead - IT

The Lead QA Architect will spearhead the quality assurance strategy and implementation for one of the largest projects in the companys history. This role involves close collaboration with multiple project stakeholders, including Development, Web Technology, Project Manager to ensure successful and timely delivery of high-quality software. The Lead QA Architect will design and oversee the complete QA solution, incorporating key technologies for developing efficient and early Quality delivery

• Must understand the technology aspects including Functional and non-Functional testing, Requirements gathering, technical development processes and more to guide and mentor a team of about 20+ people, Experience building processes and engagement models from scratch and guiding teams through QA adoption
• Good experience in Mobile testing, Web Applications Testing, API Testing, Integration Testing, UAT, Smoke testing
• Manage transformation of project management activities related to QA Domain
• Ability to identify and manage risks at all stages of the project. Adherence to practices such as test coverage, continuous integration, code reviews, code quality and shift left practices.
• Managing Stakeholders from various Lines of Business, C-suite and IT. Also, understanding the outcome driven approach to technology which is aligned with business is a must
• The Lead QA Architect will drive the quality assurance automation strategy and implementation for large-scale projects.
• This role involves designing, implementing, and overseeing advanced automation frameworks and approaches, while also managing deliveries and collaborating with multiple project stakeholders.
• The Lead QA Architect will ensure timely delivery of high-quality software through efficient and effective automated testing processes.|. QA Responsibilities and Processes
• Manage large and smalls scale partners and be able to bring in best in industry processes to deliver Complex QA requirements
• A solid understanding of eCommerce and Digital Marketing landscape, sufficiently strong level of business acumen of the domain.
• Ability to create Test scenarios, test strategy, test plan, test cases ad map this back to the business requirements to ensure that 100% coverage of testing is achieved
• Develop and implement a comprehensive QA automation strategy aligned with project goals and timelines.
• Design, develop, and maintain robust automation frameworks using tools such as Selenium, Appium, and other industry-leading technologies.
• Lead the selection, implementation, and optimization of automation tools and frameworks for various testing types (web, mobile, API, integration).
• Establish best practices for test automation, including continuous integration, code reviews, and shift-left practices.
• Oversee the creation and execution of automated test scripts, ensuring maximum coverage of business requirements.
• Guide the team in implementing automation for web applications (using Selenium), mobile apps (using Appium), APIs, and integration testing.
• Manage and optimize the CI/CD pipeline for automated testing.
• Stay current with emerging automation technologies and implement innovative solutions to enhance testing efficiency.

  Key Decisions / Dimensions
Following decisions are taken by the role:
Test Strategy Development: Define and implement comprehensive test strategies that align with project requirements and ensure high-quality deliverables.
Test Case Prioritization: Determine the priority of test cases based on risk assessment and business impact, focusing on critical functionalities first.
Defect Management: Decide on the severity and priority of reported defects, coordinating with development teams for timely resolution.
Release Readiness: Assess and approve the readiness of a build for production release based on test results, ensuring stability and reliability
Training and Mentorship: Provide training and mentorship to junior QA team members, fostering skill development and knowledge sharing within the team.

Major Challenges
Collaborative Development: Work closely with cross-functional teams to integrate seamlessly with existing product suites and tools.
Requirement Gathering: Expertly analyze, and document clear, testable requirements from stakeholders to ensure comprehensive test coverage and alignment with business objectives.
Product Understanding: Gain a deep understanding of new finance products and capabilities to develop business-driven solutions for performing functional testing.
Adaptability: Continuously evolve and adapt to new technologies and systems to manage increasing business volumes within tight timelines.
Ongoing Training: Participate in constant training sessions for optimal performance and to mentor new hires and junior QA associates.

Required Qualifications and Experience
a) Qualifications
B. Tech - Computer Science and Engineering

b) Work Experience
Minimum 9 to 12 years of experience in functional, non-functional and mobile testing. Have extensive work experience on test automation
Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple deliveries simultaneously
Innovation in automation strategies to improve efficiency and reduce time-to-market
Extensive hands-on experience with Selenium for web automation and Appium for mobile automation
Strong programming skills in languages used for test automation (e.g., Java, Python, JavaScript)
Proficiency in developing and maintaining automation frameworks
Experience with CI/CD tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps)
Solid understanding of version control systems (e.g., Git)
Hands on experience in Cloud Platform tools as BrowserStack, LambdaTest or similar tools set to test web and app at scale
Familiarity with Agile methodologies and DevOps practices
ISTQB Advanced Level Test Automation Engineer certification or equivalent
Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities

Keywords:

Test automation, Selenium, Appium, Java, Python, JavaScript, CI/CD, Jenkins, Azure DevOps, Git, Agile methodologies, DevOps practices, team leadership, mentoring, web application testing, mobile testing, API testing, test planning, defect management, stakeholder management, problem-solving, test management tools, requirements analysis, cross-browser testing, automation frameworks design.