Lead QA Engineer Test Automation

Toronto 7 days agoFull-time External
Negotiable
Talent Acquisition Associate @Integriti | Connecting leading experts with Fortune 500 clients Contract-to-Hire | Initial Duration: 3 to 6 Months About the Role We are seeking an experienced Lead QA Engineer (Test Automation) to join our Fortune 500 client's Team in North York, Toronto. This hybrid, contract-to-hire position is ideal for someone who combines technical depth in automation testing with strong leadership and mentoring skills. The successful candidate will lead quality assurance initiatives across large-scale web and mobile retail applications, driving automation strategy, implementing scalable frameworks, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, fault-tolerant software solutions. You will thrive in a fast-paced, agile environment, collaborating with developers, product owners, and other stakeholders to continually test, refine, and deploy innovative retail solutions. Key Responsibilities • Lead end-to-end QA strategy and execution for large-scale applications in a hybrid agile environment. • Drive test automation initiatives using open-source tools and frameworks within a Java, BDD (Cucumber), and TestNG environment. • Design, implement, and maintain robust automation frameworks using the Page Object Model (POM) pattern to ensure scalability and maintainability. • Create, optimize, and execute test scripts across frontend, middleware, and backend layers using XPath, CSS Selectors, and related UI automation techniques. • Conduct both manual and automated testing, ensuring full coverage across all business-critical scenarios. • Plan, manage, and deliver QA milestones, ensuring timely and high-quality software releases. • Lead and mentor QA engineers, fostering collaboration, ownership, and continuous learning within the team. • Collaborate closely with development, DevOps, and product teams to ensure seamless CI/CD integration and continuous testing. • Continuously improve QA processes, recommend new tools, and drive automation-first best practices. • Troubleshoot, analyze, and communicate critical defects, risks, and test progress to leadership to ensure timely resolution. • Support continuous integration and process innovation to improve delivery efficiency and product quality. Required Skills & Experience • 7+ years of experience in Software Quality Assurance, including 3+ years in a lead or senior automation role. • Strong hands‑on experience with Java, BDD (Cucumber), Selenium/WebDriver, and TestNG. • Deep understanding of XPath, CSS Selectors, and advanced web UI automation concepts. • Proven experience with frontend and backend testing, ideally for retail store applications or enterprise‑scale systems. • Familiarity with API testing (REST Assured, Postman, or similar). • Experience integrating automation with CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or Azure DevOps). • Thorough understanding of QA methodologies, SDLC, and defect management processes. • Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage priorities, and deliver results under tight deadlines. • Excellent analytical thinking, communication, and problem‑solving skills. Nice to Have • Experience in Performance Testing or Mobile Automation Testing. • Exposure to cloud testing environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP). • Prior experience in retail, POS, or enterprise application environments. Work Model • Hybrid: Onsite presence required in North York, Toronto (approx. 2–3 days onsite per week, rest remote). • Contract Duration: 3 to 6 months, with potential to convert to full‑time employment based on performance. Why Join • Lead a high‑impact QA function for a global retail technology initiative. • Work with cutting‑edge tools and modern frameworks in a collaborative, agile environment. • Opportunity for long‑term career growth through full‑time conversion and leadership advancement. #J-18808-Ljbffr