Lead Test Automation Engineer

We are seeking a highly technical Lead Test Automation Engineer to drive end-to-end quality engineering initiatives across web, mobile, API, and backend platforms. This role requires a hands-on technical leader who can develop automation frameworks, mentor team members, provide project leadership, and partner with stakeholders to deliver high-quality software solutions.

The ideal candidate combines deep automation expertise with test leadership experience and has a proven track record of building scalable automation solutions from the ground up.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation testing efforts across web, mobile, API, and backend systems.
• Design, develop, and enhance automated testing frameworks using Java and Selenium.
• Develop and maintain automated test suites for UI, API, integration, regression, and end-to-end testing.
• Build and execute mobile automation solutions using Appium.
• Create and execute API automation using tools such as REST Assured and Postman.
• Perform backend testing and SQL-based data validation.
• Establish testing strategies, test plans, project estimates, and quality metrics.
• Analyze automation failures and drive root-cause resolution.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to QA team members.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, backlog grooming, standups, and retrospectives.
• Collaborate with developers, business analysts, product owners, and stakeholders throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Develop reporting, quality dashboards, and status updates for leadership.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of Quality Assurance and Test Automation experience.
• Strong hands-on programming experience in Java.
• 4+ years of Selenium automation experience.
• 2+ years of Appium mobile automation experience.
• Experience designing and building automation frameworks from scratch.
• Strong API testing and automation experience.
• Experience with REST APIs, JSON/XML validation, and backend testing.
• Strong SQL and database validation skills.
• Experience leading QA or Automation Engineering teams.
• Experience with estimation, planning, reporting, and project coordination.
• Strong understanding of Agile/Scrum methodologies.
• Experience with JIRA or similar testing and defect management tools.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Playwright experience.
• Mabl experience.
• Insurance or Financial Services experience.
• Performance testing experience with JMeter, LoadRunner, or similar tools.
• Accessibility testing knowledge.
• Experience working on large-scale digital transformation initiatives.

What We're Looking For

• Strong hands-on coding capability.
• Proven Test Lead experience.
• Expertise in Selenium and Java automation.
• Mobile automation expertise with Appium.
• Experience driving test strategy, estimation, and execution.
• Ability to mentor teams and resolve complex automation challenges.
• Strong client-facing and communication skills.

Work Authorization

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship. This position is not available for sponsorship of any type, including H-1B, F-1 OPT, STEM OPT, TN, E-3, L-1, or any other employment-based visa sponsorship.

Work Arrangement

Hybrid schedule with regular onsite presence required in the New York, NY area.

Salary: 100-115k plus a 20% bonus