QA Automation Manager

We are seeking an experienced QA leader to design, implement, and oversee a comprehensive quality assurance framework that supports a globally distributed team. This role involves defining test strategies across various system types, managing test automation and non-functional testing, and leading a remote QA team to deliver high-quality software releases. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in automation and performance testing, proven leadership skills managing teams across multiple time zones, and the ability to work independently within a contract period.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Strategy and Framework:
Develop and continuously improve a QA framework encompassing processes, standards, roles, tooling, and metrics that are adaptable for all team members regardless of seniority, location, or product area. Define test strategies based on risk and system type, including custom applications, integrations, and SaaS configurations. Establish entry and exit criteria, defect management protocols, release sign-offs, and quality metrics such as defect escape rate, automation coverage, test flakiness, and cycle time.

Test Automation:
Evaluate and enhance the existing Playwright automation framework, focusing on architecture, page/component design patterns, test data management, environment setup, reporting, and CI/CD pipeline integration. Set and enforce coding standards and review processes to maintain test stability and maintainability. Make informed decisions on automation scope versus manual testing based on return-on-effort analysis.

Non-Functional Testing:
Assess the current performance testing framework using k6, including load, stress, spike, and soak testing profiles, threshold settings, and pipeline integration. Collaborate with engineering and business teams to define performance baselines and service-level targets, and communicate results effectively to non-technical stakeholders.

Team Leadership:
Lead, mentor, and evaluate a remote QA team distributed across multiple time zones. Implement asynchronous-first working practices with clear documentation, handover procedures, and overlapping hours for collaboration. Identify skill gaps and provide targeted upskilling in Playwright and k6. Ensure smooth knowledge transfer and ownership handover before contract completion. Work closely with the existing QA lead to provide support and mentorship.

Stakeholder and Vendor Management:
Collaborate with engineering, product, business owners, and vendors on release planning and risk assessment. Provide regular quality status updates and risk reports to leadership.

Required Qualifications

Experience:
Over 12 years in software QA, with a minimum of 5 years in a QA management role involving people management.

Distributed Leadership:
Proven experience managing remote QA teams across multiple countries and time zones, with demonstrated ability to handle communication, handovers, performance management, and cultural challenges in a distributed environment.

Test Automation:
Hands-on expertise in test automation, particularly in designing and implementing frameworks using Playwright.

Non-Functional Testing:
Practical experience delivering performance testing on live systems and designing performance testing frameworks using tools such as k6.

Framework Design:
Track record of building and successfully adopting QA frameworks that accommodate diverse teams ranging from junior to senior members and manual to automated testing.

Contract Readiness:
Ability to start quickly, work independently with minimal onboarding, and deliver results within a six-month contract period.

Required Technical Skills

Playwright Automation:
Strong knowledge of framework architecture in TypeScript, including fixtures, page object/component models, locator strategies, parallel execution, and test sharding. Experience with cross-browser and API testing, visual validation, test data and environment management, and CI/CD integration using tools like GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, GitLab, or Jenkins.

Performance Testing with k6:
Proficiency in scripting with JavaScript for k6, including scenario creation, thresholds, checks, and realistic workload modeling. Experience running k6 in CI pipelines, exporting results to dashboards such as Grafana, and interpreting data to identify bottlenecks and recommend tuning or capacity improvements.

QA Framework Design:
Ability to define roles, responsibilities, and skills matrices to ensure framework applicability for all team members. Skilled in developing standards, templates, and onboarding materials suitable for distributed teams working asynchronously. Expertise in selecting appropriate tools and metrics based on team size and maturity.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

Experience with SaaS platforms such as Salesforce, NetSuite, Intact, or Chainpoint is advantageous. Familiarity with API testing and contract testing tools like Postman or REST Assured is a plus. Knowledge of test management and defect tracking tools, including Jira with Zephyr plugin, is beneficial. Basic awareness of security testing (OWASP Top 10) and accessibility testing is desirable. Experience introducing AI-assisted testing practices responsibly and prior contract or interim leadership roles with fast onboarding and clean handover are valued. ISTQB or equivalent certification is a plus.

This role offers the opportunity to lead a dynamic, remote QA team and make a significant impact on the quality and reliability of complex software systems within a fast-paced environment.