QA Automation Manager

We are seeking an experienced QA leader to design, implement, and manage a comprehensive quality assurance framework across a distributed, remote team. This role involves defining quality strategies, overseeing test automation and non-functional testing, and leading a diverse team to ensure high standards in software delivery. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in automation frameworks, performance testing, and proven leadership skills managing remote teams across multiple time zones.

Key Responsibilities

Design and continuously improve the QA framework, including processes, standards, roles, tooling, and metrics that accommodate team members of varying seniority, locations, and product areas. Develop test strategies tailored by risk and system type, covering custom applications, integrations, and SaaS configurations. Establish entry and exit criteria, defect management processes, release sign-offs, and quality metrics such as defect escape rates, automation coverage, flakiness, and cycle time.

Review and enhance the existing Playwright automation framework, focusing on architecture, page/component patterns, test data, environment management, reporting, and CI/CD integration. Define coding standards and review practices to maintain test stability and maintainability. Make informed decisions on automation scope versus manual testing based on return-on-effort analysis.

Evaluate the current performance testing framework using k6, including load, stress, spike, and soak testing profiles, thresholds, 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.

Lead, coach, and assess a remote QA team distributed across multiple time zones. Implement asynchronous-first working methods with documented standards, handover procedures, and meaningful overlap hours. Identify skill gaps and provide upskilling on Playwright and k6 tools. Ensure smooth ownership transitions before contract completion. Collaborate closely with the current QA lead to support and mentor the team.

Partner 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

Over 12 years of experience in software QA, including at least 5 years in a QA management role with direct people management responsibilities. Proven ability to lead distributed QA teams across multiple countries and time zones, managing communication, handovers, performance, and culture remotely.

Hands-on expertise in test automation, specifically with Playwright, including framework design and implementation. Experience delivering performance testing on live systems and designing performance testing frameworks using tools like k6.

Demonstrated success in building QA frameworks that accommodate mixed teams of junior to senior members and manual to automated testers, with evidence of adoption. Ability to start quickly, work independently with minimal onboarding, and deliver results within a 6-month contract period.

Technical Skills

Strong proficiency in Playwright automation framework architecture using TypeScript, including fixtures, page object/component models, locator strategies, parallel execution, and test sharding. Experience with cross-browser and API testing, visual validation, and managing test data and environments. Skilled in CI/CD integration with tools such as GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, GitLab, or Jenkins, ensuring traceable reporting and flaky test management.

Expertise in performance testing with k6, including scripting in JavaScript with scenarios, thresholds, checks, and realistic workload modeling. Experience running k6 in CI pipelines and exporting results to dashboards like Grafana for trend analysis. Ability to interpret performance data, identify bottlenecks, set baselines, and recommend capacity or tuning improvements.

Proficient in defining QA roles, responsibilities, and skills matrices to support diverse teams. Skilled in creating standards, templates, and onboarding materials that enable distributed teams to operate effectively without live support. Capable of selecting appropriate tools and metrics based on team size and maturity.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience testing SaaS platforms such as Salesforce, NetSuite, Intact, or Chainpoint. Familiarity with API testing and contract testing tools like Postman or REST Assured. Knowledge of test management and defect tracking tools, including Jira with Zephyr plugin. Basic understanding of security testing principles (OWASP Top 10) and accessibility testing.

Experience implementing AI-assisted testing practices responsibly. Prior contract or interim leadership roles with a track record of rapid onboarding and clean handovers. ISTQB or equivalent certification is a plus.

This role offers the opportunity to lead a dynamic QA function in a fully remote environment, driving quality excellence across multiple products and teams.