Lead Software QA Specialist (Automation)

Lead Software QA Specialist

We are seeking a full-time Lead Software QA Specialist at Garmin's U.S. headquarters in our Olathe, KS location. In this role, you will apply engineering principles across the software testing process to create automation systems, frameworks, and best practices that enhance and maintain the overall quality of the IT Dealer team's software application systems supporting B2B functions. Ideal candidate has hands on experience with strategic planning including establishing test strategies, plans, test cases, and automation for large, complex initiatives that require coordination efforts across multiple technical and product teams. This role will serve as a leader and a mentor to other quality assurance associates and will be expected to identify and implement improvements to system testing processes and tools.

Essential Functions

• Drive the software quality assurance lifecycle as part of the overall SDLC and team's Agile ways of working
• Design, build, and maintain automation frameworks from scratch using Java and JavaScript, Playwright (for front-end UI), RESTAssured (for backend API), and Octoperf or JMeter (for load & performance). Other acceptable frameworks include Selenium, Cypress, and Postman
• Establish and coordinate various test strategies for different business needs with multiple technical and product teams
• Design and implement test plans, test cases, and validation efforts ensuring accessibility, responsive, cross-browser, and other functional testing are top of mind to meet software quality expectations prior to release
• Maintain test environments, continuous integration (CI) pipelines, and test assets, reviewing results and reporting issues daily
• Write and maintain automation utilities and supporting tools (Java-based)
• Manage repositories using Git, ensuring branch hygiene, code reviews, and best practices
• Communicate status and schedule for the system testing needs applicable to planned deliveries
• Provide feedback to technical teams to ensure solutions are designed to meet system testing needs
• Provide troubleshooting support to identify the system root cause
• Provide clear and sufficient details on found issues for internal or external customers
• Identify and implement improvements to system testing processes and guidance
• Provide reliable solutions to a variety of problems using sound problem solving techniques
• Apply a sense of urgency, commitment and focus on the right priorities to develop timely solutions
• Mentor, instruct, and delegate to other quality assurance team members, helping each make sound decisions and effectively solve problems

Other Responsibilities

• Engage and lead efforts in departmental quality, strategy, tooling and experimental needs

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Math, Physics or another related technology field AND a minimum of 9 year relevant experience
• Demonstrates knowledge of several complex integrated software system functions
• Demonstrates mastery of relevant tools for use in system testing
• Demonstrates advanced troubleshooting skills
• Driven problem solver with proven success in solving difficult problems
• Demonstrated strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Must be team-oriented, possess a positive attitude, interested in learning and work well with others

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in creating automation pipelines integrated with CI/CD systems (e.g., Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI)
• Experience in security testing and visual validation

Garmin International is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran's status, age or disability. This position is eligible for Garmin's benefit program. Details can be found here: Garmin Benefits