Senior Manager QA Engineering

Accountabilities: As Senior Manager QA Engineering, you will own the quality engineering roadmap, oversee automation initiatives, and develop a strong team culture focused on accountability and continuous improvement. Your responsibilities will include: Define and lead the test automation strategy across multiple products and portfolios, designing scalable API-first and UI automation frameworks supported by shared, reusable test libraries. Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, including AI-powered testing frameworks and Robotic Process Automation (RPA), to accelerate feedback and improve testing efficiency. Establish comprehensive testing strategies covering test data management, pre-production and staging environments, system integration, and end-to-end validation. Drive the adoption of CI/CD practices and cloud-based QA tools across the organization, leveraging technologies such as AWS and Azure. Oversee Quality Corrective Action Board (CAB) and Zero-Defect Planning (ZDP) processes, monitor defect leakage, and lead root cause analysis initiatives. Define and track key quality metrics, including functional and automation test coverage, defect density, and test execution velocity. Participate in sprint planning and estimation, providing realistic timelines and resource estimates for QA and automation deliverables. Lead, mentor, and develop QA engineers, automation specialists, and team leads, including offshore and geographically distributed teams. Manage the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluations, career development, and retention. Establish clear team objectives, provide regular feedback, and promote knowledge sharing and cross-training across key applications. Partner with product management, engineering, delivery, and operations teams to translate business priorities and product roadmaps into achievable quality-driven plans. Build strong relationships with product owners, Agile managers, business analysts, delivery teams, and technical stakeholders. Prepare sprint-level activity reports, quality dashboards, and release-readiness updates for senior management and relevant New Product Development (NPD) phases. Communicate technical strategies, quality performance, project risks, and trade-offs effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences. Champion quality ownership, organizational change, and continuous improvement across the entire QA function. Requirements The ideal candidate is an experienced quality engineering leader with a strong technical background in automation, proven people-management capabilities, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams. The following qualifications are expected: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience. At least 12 years of overall IT or software industry experience. At least 10 years of experience leading QA or test automation engineering teams. At least 5 years of direct people-management experience. Strong hands-on expertise in Java and working knowledge of Python. Proven ability to architect, develop, and scale automation frameworks covering API testing and UI automation, with API automation as the primary focus. Proficiency in RestAssured, TestNG, Playwright, and BDD-Cucumber. Experience with CI/CD and development tools such as Jenkins, GitLab, Nexus, and Maven. Familiarity with AI-powered test automation technologies and AI-driven Development Lifecycle (AIDLC) practices to accelerate test design, execution, and maintenance. Exposure to AWS cloud technologies and modern DevOps methodologies. Experience in healthcare, payer, or other regulated and data-intensive industries. Understanding of de-identified and HIPAA-compliant test data management practices; knowledge of US healthcare systems and EDI standards, including X12/HIPAA transactions, is an advantage. Familiarity with data analytics platforms or machine learning systems is a plus. Strong understanding of Agile methodologies, software testing frameworks, and quality management best practices. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and gain support across organizational levels. Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with the flexibility to adapt to changing business needs and workloads. Experience collaborating with remote and distributed teams across different geographies, particularly the United States and India. Demonstrated ability to empower, coach, and develop talent through emotional intelligence, constructive feedback, and effective leadership. Innovative, proactive, and results-oriented mindset, with a strong sense of urgency and commitment to quality. Strong sense of accountability, customer focus, collaboration, and openness. Benefits Opportunity to lead quality engineering strategy across multiple product portfolios. Career development opportunities in a senior technology leadership position. Exposure to modern automation technologies, AI-powered testing, cloud platforms, and DevOps practices. Opportunity to build and develop high-performing, geographically distributed engineering teams. Collaborative environment involving cross-functional and international stakeholders.