QA Lead

About the Role

Our Client is seeking a seasoned Quality Assurance Lead to drive the end-to-end testing strategy for critical enterprise applications and integrations. In this pivotal role, you will bridge the gap between business requirements and technical validation, ensuring that all software releases meet the highest standards of quality and reliability. You will operate in a collaborative environment, working closely with developers, business analysts, and project managers to define scope, manage risks, and deliver measurable results. This position offers the opportunity to lead a team of testers, establish robust QA governance, and directly influence the success of major product releases. Your expertise will be instrumental in maintaining rigorous traceability from initial requirements to final deployment, ensuring that every release is defensible and ready for production.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary Test Lead for assigned programs, defining overall test strategy, scope, entry/exit criteria, and execution schedules.
• Supervise and mentor a team of testers, assigning work, reviewing artifacts, and enforcing strict QA standards across the organization.
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts with Business Analysts, Developers, Product Owners, DevOps, and DBAs to align testing activities with project goals.
• Analyze Business Requirements Documents (BRDs), Functional Requirements, and API specifications to identify gaps, ambiguities, or untestable criteria before execution.
• Translate complex business requirements into comprehensive Test Scenarios, Test Cases, and automation candidates with clear expected results.
• Manage the full lifecycle of testing within Azure DevOps, including creating test plans, suites, and maintaining work-item relationships for complete traceability.
• Design and execute a variety of test types, including functional, integration, regression, end-to-end, and performance-support testing.
• Lead defect triage sessions, determining severity and priority, and ensuring all defects contain reproducible steps and complete evidence.
• Utilize Azure DevOps queries and dashboards to provide management with clear, data-driven reports on progress, blockers, and release readiness.
• Review and write automation code as needed to enhance test efficiency and coverage for critical workflows.

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven experience as a QA Lead or Test Lead, with a strong track record of managing end-to-end testing efforts for enterprise applications.
• Deep expertise in test strategy development, including defining scope, entry/exit criteria, and risk-based testing approaches.
• Advanced proficiency in Azure DevOps (ADO) for managing test plans, suites, cases, and generating coverage dashboards.
• Strong ability to analyze Business Requirements Documents (BRDs) and Functional Requirements to ensure complete test coverage and traceability.
• Experience in leading defect triage processes and managing release readiness assessments for production deployments.
• Capability to mentor and supervise junior testers, providing guidance on best practices and quality standards.
• Understanding of various testing methodologies, including positive, negative, boundary value, equivalence partitioning, and state transition testing.
• Ability to review and write automation code, demonstrating a hybrid skill set of manual testing leadership and technical automation.
• Excellent communication skills to coordinate with diverse stakeholders, including developers, business analysts, and project managers.

Tools & Technologies

• Azure DevOps (ADO): Primary tool for test planning, case management, execution tracking, and dashboard reporting.
• Automation Frameworks: Proficiency in reviewing and writing automation code (specific frameworks may vary by project, but general scripting/programming knowledge is required).
• API Testing Tools: Experience with tools for validating API specifications and integration points (e.g., Postman, SoapUI).
• Database Tools: Familiarity with SQL for data validation and database testing support.
• Project Management Tools: Experience using tools to track dependencies, schedules, and project milestones.

Work Schedule & Duration

• Contract Duration: October 26, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
• Work Arrangement: Onsite.
• Location: 30 W Spring Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215.
• Interviews: Onsite interviews will be conducted at the client location.

Interview Process

The interview process for this role will be conducted onsite at the client's location in Columbus, Ohio. Candidates can expect an initial screening followed by technical and behavioral interviews with the hiring manager and key stakeholders. Please ensure you are available for onsite interviews as part of the selection process.

Position Details

• Employment Type: Contract
• Duration: Approximately 12 months (with potential for extension)
• Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States