Product QA Lead

An Introduction to Codal

Codal is an award-winning web design and development consultancy that helps enterprise organizations solve complex problems and accelerate growth through elegant, data-driven digital solutions. Our areas of expertise include application modernization, eCommerce, UX/UI design, product strategy, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. At Codal, you’ll collaborate with some of the most innovative organizations in the world and work on cutting-edge technologies that push the boundaries of design and software development.

You’ll also be part of a community that promotes long-term success, not just for our clients but for each other. We’ll help you develop a professional roadmap that takes your career to new heights.

We are seeking an experienced QA lead to drive our QA Shift-Left initiative by embedding quality early in product discovery and solution design. The role operates beyond traditional test execution and brings a strong product mindset, strategic quality thinking, and business analysis acumen to the table. This role involves creating product quality strategy and proactively managing risks across the product lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will leverage a background in business analysis to translate business objectives into effective quality frameworks and risk-based testing strategies.

• Lead quality-driven discovery by actively participating in product discovery, clarifying ambiguous requirements, identifying functional gaps and non-functional concerns.
• Align QA strategy with business objectives, customer journeys, and revenue-impacting workflows, clearly mapping business requirements to test plans and test suites.
• Identify and prioritize business-critical paths and high-risk integrations; act as a quality consultant during discovery and planning phases.
• Influence feature design discussions with a quality lens.
• Lead risk identification during discovery and planning; frame risks in terms of customer impact early in the project lifecycle.
• Partner with PM and Engineering to make informed release decisions.
• Provide QA effort estimates based on scope clarity, complexity, dependencies, and non-functional requirements.
• Translate PRDs and business requirements into clear, prioritized test plans.
• Define automation approach based on business impact and ROI.
• Create structured quality artifacts for smooth transition to QA team.
• Establish quality KPIs tying them to product outcomes like defect leakage, regression coverage, and release stability.
• Lead and mentor QA team members, cultivating a culture of confidence, ownership, and outside-the-box thinking.

• 6–10+ years in QA, with prior experience in Business Analysis or Product-facing roles.
• Proven experience leading QA strategy on complex digital products.
• Strong understanding of SDLC, Agile delivery, and shift-left principles.
• Good understanding of UI, API, integration, and non-functional testing.
• Experience designing risk-based test strategies and automation strategy.
• Influence and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Hybrid position working out of our Chicago or Toronto Offices.
• Compensation range $90 to $120k based upon location and experience.

Note:

Codal only communicates with candidates through official  email addresses. We never request payment during the hiring process. Please be vigilant regarding recruitment scams.

At Codal, we are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.