Lead Software Developer in Test - QA

Boston, MAOnsiteDirect Hire$130k - $175kA leading financial services organization is investing heavily in modernizing its cloud-based technology platform and is seeking a Lead Software Engineer in Test (SDET) to drive the next generation of quality engineering. This is a highly visible role where you'll lead the design and implementation of scalable automation frameworks, integrate AI-powered testing capabilities, and help establish engineering best practices across multiple development teams.If you're passionate about building automation from the ground up, improving software quality through engineering excellence, and leveraging emerging AI technologies to transform testing, this is an outstanding opportunity to make a significant impact. Required Skills & Experience 8+ years of experience in Software Quality Engineering, QA Automation, or Software Development in Test (SDET) 3+ years leading automation initiatives or serving as a technical lead Expert-level Java programming skills Experience building automation frameworks from scratch using Selenium, Playwright, Cypress, or similar technologies Strong API automation experience using REST Assured, Postman, or equivalent tools Experience testing cloud-native applications within AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform Experience integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines Strong understanding of software engineering principles, design patterns, and object-oriented programming Experience with Git, Jenkins, GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, or similar DevOps platforms Strong SQL skills and experience validating relational databases Excellent communication and leadership skills Desired Skills & Experience Financial services, banking, fintech, asset management, or capital markets experience Experience with AI-assisted testing tools including GitHub Copilot, Claude, OpenAI APIs, or AI-powered test generation platforms Experience building automated regression, integration, performance, and end-to-end test suites Experience with containerized applications using Docker and Kubernetes Familiarity with Kafka, RabbitMQ, or event-driven architectures Experience with test data management and service virtualization Knowledge of performance testing tools such as JMeter, Gatling, or k6 Experience mentoring QA engineers and developers on automation best practices Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related technical field What You Will Be Doing Architect and develop enterprise-wide automation frameworks for web, API, and backend applications Lead the technical direction of the QA Automation practice across multiple Agile engineering teams Build scalable Java-based automation solutions that improve software quality and release velocity Integrate AI-powered tools to accelerate test creation, maintenance, defect analysis, and regression testing Develop automated API, UI, integration, and end-to-end test suites Design cloud-native testing strategies supporting microservices and distributed applications Partner closely with Software Engineers, DevOps Engineers, Product Managers, and Architects throughout the SDLC Implement quality gates within CI/CD pipelines to support continuous delivery Improve test reliability, execution speed, reporting, and overall automation coverage Mentor engineers, perform code reviews, and establish automation engineering standards Evaluate emerging QA technologies and continuously improve engineering practices Tech Breakdown 40% QA Automation & Test Framework Development 25% Java Software Engineering 20% Cloud, DevOps & CI/CD Integration 15% AI-Driven Test Engineering & Innovation Daily Responsibilities 75% Hands-On Development & Automation Engineering 15% Technical Leadership & Mentorship 10% Cross-Functional Collaboration The Offer You will receive the following benefits:Competitive base salary Annual performance bonus Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance 401(k) with company match Paid Time Off and company holidays Flexible work arrangements Professional development and certification reimbursement Opportunity to help define the future of AI-enabled software quality engineering within a leading financial services organizationApplicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis now and in the future. No sponsorship is available for this position.