Lead SQA Automation Analyst

Contour Software, a subsidiary of Constellation Software Inc., has grown rapidly to over 2,000 employees across three cities within 14 years. As part of a global software conglomerate operating in over 100 countries, Contour offers a dynamic environment for professionals to build long-term careers. The company supports diverse functions from R&D to full-service global operations, serving divisions worldwide from Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. POMS Corporation, a division of Contour, specializes in manufacturing execution systems (MES) for regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices, delivering robust, validated solutions that enhance manufacturing effectiveness and compliance.

POMS is seeking a hands-on Quality Engineering Lead / Automation Architect to drive the transition from manual testing to automation-driven quality engineering. This role involves enhancing the Playwright automation framework, setting standards, and leading a global QA team to deliver scalable automation solutions. The position is based in Contour’s Karachi office and requires close collaboration with development and DevOps teams to optimize automated regression pipelines and integrate AI-assisted testing tools.

Key Responsibilities

- Own and lead the test automation strategy, including the Playwright framework, coding standards, and review processes.
- Design and develop scalable Playwright test suites in TypeScript, utilizing features like fixtures, parallelization, retries, and reporting.
- Structure testing workflows with clear layers for smoke, core regression, and release regression across functional, API, integration, and end-to-end tests.
- Evaluate the manual test inventory to prioritize automation, redesign, or retirement of tests.
- Collaborate with Development and DevOps to enhance automated regression pipelines using Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or similar platforms.
- Implement AI-assisted tools for test generation, coverage analysis, defect identification, and govern AI usage to meet quality and security standards.
- Maintain framework health by addressing flaky tests, technical debt, and managing upgrades.
- Build and mentor a high-performing QA team focused on automation capability, establishing standards and delegation models to scale efforts.
- Set team goals, performance expectations, and support hiring, onboarding, and career development.
- Advocate shift-left and risk-based testing, participate in early design reviews, and define data-driven release readiness criteria.
- Develop dashboards and KPIs to monitor automation coverage, test reliability, defect rates, and team performance.
- Lead root cause analysis of defects and support validation and compliance in regulated environments.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or equivalent experience.
- Minimum 5 years in software quality assurance and testing.
- Expert experience building enterprise-scale test automation frameworks with Playwright, Selenium, Cypress, or similar tools, and strong TypeScript/JavaScript skills.
- Solid software engineering skills including Git, API testing (Postman/Newman, REST Assured), SQL, debugging, and code review.
- Deep understanding of automation design patterns such as Page Object Model, modular architecture, data-driven testing, and BDD.
- Experience integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or comparable tools.
- Proven ability to scale automation through coaching, standards, and delegation.
- Skilled in using quality metrics, dashboards, and KPIs to guide decisions.
- Experience testing complex web-based enterprise applications in Agile environments.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

- Hands-on experience developing large Playwright suites with advanced features.
- Leadership experience in QA teams or large-scale testing projects.
- Background in regulated industries (life sciences, pharmaceuticals, healthcare) with knowledge of GxP and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.
- Experience working with mixed TFVC and Git environments and migration projects.
- Demonstrated success in transforming manual QA organizations to automation-focused teams.
- Familiarity with AI or machine learning to enhance testing.
- Knowledge of performance and security testing tools like JMeter or k6.
- Relevant certifications such as ISTQB, CSTE, CSQA, or expertise in Generative AI and AI-assisted development.

Benefits

- Competitive market-leading salary
- Medical coverage for employees and dependents, including parents
- Provident fund and performance-based bonuses
- Home internet subsidy and conveyance allowance
- Profit sharing plan for tenured employees
- Life insurance benefits and child care facilities
- Company-provided meals and recreational areas
- Professional development budget and onshore training opportunities
- Supportive and inclusive work environment with leave encashment

Contour Software is committed to diversity and inclusion, fostering a respectful workplace free from discrimination. The company actively supports individuals with special needs by providing reasonable accommodations and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.