Xemplar Insights - Lead Quality Assurance Engineer - Automation Testing (5-10 yrs)

About the job :

As a Lead QA Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the overall quality and reliability of our software products.

In this leadership position, you will oversee and mentor the QA team while also contributing hands-on expertise in both manual and automated testing.

You will be responsible for establishing testing processes, creating test strategies, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure the highest standards of quality in the software development lifecycle.

Responsibilities :

Leadership and Strategy :

- Lead, mentor, and guide the QA team to ensure effective test coverage across all phases of development.

- Develop and execute test plans and strategies based on project requirements and functional specifications.

- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Development, Product, etc.) to ensure alignment on project goals, timelines, and testing priorities.

- Establish best practices and continuous improvement initiatives within the QA team, fostering a culture of quality throughout the organization.

Test Planning and Execution :

- Oversee the execution of both manual and automated testing efforts, ensuring comprehensive test coverage, including functional, regression, and integration testing.

- Develop and implement automated test scripts using tools like Cypress, Selenium, or similar automation tools.

- Coordinate the scheduling and prioritization of test cases, managing resources and ensuring tests are completed within deadlines.

Test Documentation and Reporting :

- Document and review test cases, test scenarios, and test data to ensure comprehensive and reproducible test coverage.

- Ensure the quality and accuracy of test results documentation and defect reporting.

- Lead the creation of detailed test reports and metrics to communicate testing progress, quality trends, and overall risk to stakeholders.

Defect Management :

- Identify, prioritize, and report defects, ensuring thorough investigation, documentation, and resolution.

- Provide leadership in troubleshooting and defect resolution, working closely with development teams to ensure swift and effective issue resolution.

- Develop strategies for defect prevention and quality control to reduce recurring issues in production.

Continuous Improvement and Process Optimization :

- Drive the adoption of automated testing solutions and frameworks to increase test coverage and reduce manual effort.

- Continuously improve testing processes, tools, and methodologies to increase efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness of the QA process.

- Stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies to ensure the team uses the most effective tools and practices.

Communication and Collaboration :

- Communicate test progress, risks, results, and key findings to key stakeholders, including project managers, developers, and product owners.

- Facilitate collaboration between the QA team and other departments to ensure alignment and swift resolution of issues.

Participate in sprint planning, retrospectives, and other Agile ceremonies to ensure that testing priorities are aligned with project goals.

Qualifications :

- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.

- 5+ years of experience in software quality assurance, with at least 2 years in a leadership or mentoring role.

- Strong experience in manual and automated testing, with proficiency in tools such as Cypress, Selenium, or similar.

- Experience with API testing using tools like Postman or SoapUI.

- Proficiency in SQL for data validation and troubleshooting.

- Familiarity with version control systems (Git) and CI/CD tools (Jenkins).

- Proven track record in leading teams, driving quality initiatives, and promoting continuous improvement.

- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

- Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on delivering high-quality software.

- Experience with Agile methodologies and a solid understanding of Scrum and Kanban practices.

Preferred Skills :

- ISTQB Certification or equivalent software testing certification.

- Experience with performance testing and load testing tools (e.g. , JMeter).

- Familiarity with programming languages like JavaScript, Java, or Python.

- Leadership skills in managing teams, developing talent, and promoting collaboration across departments