Associate Director, Quality Engineering

Purpose of JobWe are seeking an Associate Director, AQA to lead and shape the automation testing strategy for our software applications, systems, and databases.
This leadership role requires a strong technical background in software testing, SQL for database validation, and systems testing.
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience managing and mentoring high-performing AQA teams, establishing quality assurance best practices, and driving end-to-end automation initiatives across complex software applications.
This role combines both strategic leadership and hands-on technical expertise, focusing on ensuring that the quality of our products meets the highest standards.Main Activities:
Leadership & Team Management:
Lead and manage the AQA team, including hiring, mentoring, and developing engineers.
Foster a high-performing team culture focused on quality, innovation, and continuous improvementAutomation Strategy:
Define and implement the strategic vision for test automation across software applications, systems, and databases.
Drive the adoption of automation best practices, methodologies, and frameworks across the organizationSQL Database Testing:
Oversee the development and execution of SQL-based automated tests for database validation, ensuring data integrity, performance, and security across multiple databasesIntegration of AI and Machine Learning:
Leverage Azure Machine Learning (ML) to develop predictive models for automated testing, improving test coverage, and identifying potential software issues before they ariseSoftware Testing Leadership:
Guide the automation of testing for various types of software applications (desktop, APIs) and systems, ensuring full test coverage and system reliabilityContinuous Improvement:
Drive the improvement of automation frameworks, testing processes, and toolsets to increase efficiency, scalability, and maintainability of test automation effortsCross-Functional Collaboration:
Work closely with product management, development, and DevOps teams to ensure that testing efforts align with business objectives and product delivery timelinesTest Planning and Execution:
Establish and enforce standards for test planning, execution, and reporting.
Ensure comprehensive test coverage across all layers of the application stack, from UI to backend systems and databasesCI/CD Pipeline Integration:
Oversee the integration of test automation into the CI/CD pipelines, ensuring automated tests run seamlessly as part of the build and deployment processesPerformance & Load Testing:
Manage performance testing efforts for both applications and databases to ensure that systems can scale and perform efficiently under loadQuality Assurance Metrics:
Define, measure, and report on key quality metrics, including defect density, test coverage, and test execution status.
Use these metrics to continuously refine and improve testing strategiesRisk & Issue Management:
Proactively identify potential risks to product quality and take appropriate action to mitigate risks, resolve issues, and communicate findings to key stakeholdersStakeholder Engagement:
Regularly update senior management and cross-functional teams on test results, challenges, and improvements, ensuring transparency and alignment with business goalsSkills/Knowledge Requirements:
At least 10+ years of experience in AQA or software testing, with 5+ years in a leadership or management position.
Proven experience overseeing test automation across software applications, systems, and databasesAdvanced proficiency in SQL, with extensive experience in writing complex queries, validating database integrity, and performing data migration and ETL testingStrong experience with Azure Purview, Power Automate, Azure DevOps, and Azure Machine LearningIn-depth experience with test automation tools and frameworks such as Selenium, JUnit, TestNG, Cypress, Appium, or similar tools.
Strong background in developing and maintaining scalable test automation frameworksExperience testing a broad range of software applications (web, desktop, mobile) and systems (APIs, databases) with a strong focus on ensuring both functional and data qualityExperience managing and conducting performance, load, and stress testing for both software applications and databases using tools such as JMeter, LoadRunner, or equivalentProven expertise in integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines using tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, Bamboo, or other CI/CD platformsStrong leadership, organizational, and strategic thinking skills.
Experience in leading large, distributed teams and guiding them through complex, multi-stage testing projectsExcellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholdersStrong analytical and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to diagnose complex issues across software applications, systems, and databasesSolid experience in Agile environments, with a deep understanding of Agile testing principles and practicesExperience with test management tools (ex:
JIRA) for tracking test cases, defects, and metricsNice-to-haveBachelor's degree in computer science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
A master's degree or advanced certifications in Quality Engineering or Automation is a plusExperience working with data governance tools such as Azure Purview and ensuring data complianceRelevant certifications (e.g., Azure DevOps, Azure ML, ISTQB) are a plus