Lead Automation Engineer

Description:
Hybrid every other week onsite/5 days in Durham, NC

Our client seeks a Lead Automation Engineer to guide cross-squad quality engineering for Angular and Java applications. The role emphasizes modern automation frameworks, CI/CD integration, comprehensive traceability, and mentorship to elevate testing maturity and release confidence. Join our dynamic team as a Senior Software Engineer in Test, where you will play a crucial role in enhancing our existing automation framework and suite.

You will work across squads to increase automation, mentor new engineers, identify gaps, and own the regression suite for ongoing releases. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on our quality assurance processes and drive consistent, automated, and scalable QA practices. We are seeking a highly experienced QA Lead Engineer (able to build frameworks from scratch) with a strong background in test automation.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with Cypress.io, Cucumber, and Karate (or Rest Assured) and a deep understanding of testing Angular and Java full-stack applications. You will be responsible for ensuring full traceability across requirements, tests, and executions, and for integrating tests into Jenkins pipelines.

Due to client requirements, applicants must be willing and able to work on a w2 basis. For our w2 consultants, we offer a great benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, 401k with company matching, and life insurance.

Rate: $60.00 to $68.00/hr. w2

Responsibilities:
Responsibilities

• Enhance and maintain the existing automation framework and suite.
• Work across four squads to increase automation coverage and efficiency.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers in best QA practices.
• Identify gaps in test coverage and implement solutions to close them.
• Own and manage the regression suite for ongoing releases.
• Ensure full traceability across requirements, tests, and executions using Jira/Xray.
• Integrate tests into Jenkins pipelines and utilize Git Hub/Git Hub Copilot for version control.
• Set quality standards and drive consistent, automated, and scalable QA practices.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

Test Automation Tools:

• Strong hands-on experience with Cypress.io, Cucumber, and Karate (or Rest Assured).

Full-Stack Testing:

• Deep understanding of testing Angular and Java full-stack applications.

Jira/Xray Proficiency:

• Proficient in using Jira/Xray for test management and ensuring full traceability.

Jenkins and Git Hub:

• Experience with Jenkins pipelines and integrating tests into CI/CD workflows.
• Familiarity with Git Hub and Git Hub Copilot for version control and collaboration.

Leadership and Mentorship:

• Experience leading quality efforts as a senior engineer across multiple efforts and mentoring junior and mid level engineers as a quality evangelist .

Nice-to-Have:

• Experience in the financial domain is a plus.

If you are a seasoned QA professional with a passion for test automation and quality assurance, we encourage you to apply. This is a unique opportunity to work in a collaborative environment and make a significant impact on our QA, software, and automation processes.

Experience Requirements:
Experience Requirements

• Proven experience as a Senior SDET supporting medium-to-large engineering programs or multiple efforts at once.
• Hands-on expertise with Cypress.io, Karate, and Cucumber for test automation.
• Experience testing Angular and Java full-stack applications using automated approaches.
• Deep understanding of test architecture, automation strategy, and modern QA practices.
• Experience with Jira and Xray for test management and end-to-end traceability.
• Ability to define detailed test plans, test strategies, and measurable quality metrics.
• Experience building automated frameworks for Web UIs and REST APIs.
• Proficiency integrating automated tests into Jenkins pipelines.
• Strong Git and Git Hub skills with familiarity using Git Hub Copilot for productivity.
• Effective communication, collaboration, and leadership with influence across squads.
• Finance domain knowledge supporting portfolio construction or similar domains (preferred).

Education Requirements:
Bachelors…