Xemplar Insights - Lead Quality Engineer - Manual/Automation Testing (6-8 yrs)

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.