Test Lead - Test Automation

The Test Lead-Quality Assurance will be responsible for providing Quality Assurance leadership and serving as the single point of contact for all QA activities for the assigned vertical (International R&D) and will also be accountable for defining and driving test estimation, test strategy, test planning, test process, test execution, defect management, test automation strategy, and test closure. This role also includes quality advocacy, stakeholder coordination, resource planning, risk management, metrics reporting, and resolution of issues that impede the testing effort. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, hands-on testing knowledge, and the ability to work across business, development, QA, and DevOps teams to ensure delivery of high-quality solutions. Selected candidate should work in Lisle office 4 days a week. Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end QA delivery for assigned projects/programs and act as the primary point of contact for all testing-related activities.
• Define and drive overall test strategy, test scope, entry/exit criteria, test approach, test schedule, test environment needs, and resourcing plan.
• Prepare accurate test estimates for functional, integration, system, regression, UAT support, and automation efforts.
• Work closely with business stakeholders, product owners, developers, architects, and project managers to ensure quality is built into the delivery lifecycle.
• Ensure alignment of testing activities with Agile, DevOps, and release management processes.
• Lead test planning, test design, test execution, defect triage, status tracking, and test closure activities across multiple teams.
• Identify testing risks, dependencies, environment issues, and quality concerns proactively, and drive mitigation and escalation as needed.
• Review requirements, user stories, acceptance criteria, and design documents to ensure they are testable, complete, and clear.
• Guide and mentor junior testers and test engineers on test estimation, test strategy, test design, test execution, automation, defect management, and closure activities.
• Establish and enforce QA standards, best practices, templates, and governance across the testing lifecycle.
• Ensure adequate functional and automation test coverage for critical business processes and integrations.
• Monitor quality trends, defect leakage, automation effectiveness, execution progress, and other KPIs, and provide regular reporting to leadership.
• Drive root cause analysis for defects, production escapes, and test failures, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Coordinate across multiple vendors, onsite/offshore teams, and globally dispersed teams to ensure smooth test execution and delivery.
• Support release readiness reviews and provide quality sign-off based on agreed criteria and risk assessment.
• Build trusted relationships with business and IT stakeholders to evaluate, recommend, and implement improved testing procedures for products, systems, components, and enhancements.
• Ensure test environments, test data, and dependent systems are planned and available to support execution timelines.
• Facilitate defect triage meetings and work with cross-functional teams to drive timely defect resolution and retesting.
• Advocate for shift-left testing, early defect prevention, and continuous improvement in QA processes and tools.
• Support audit, compliance, and traceability need where required by ensuring proper documentation and reporting. Contribute to organizational QA capability building, process improvement initiatives, and adoption of modern testing practices.

• Bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of information systems/information technology experience

OR

• Master's degree and at least 1 year of information systems/information technology experience

OR

• At least 5 years of information systems/information technology experience, * Proven experience in leading multiple testing teams and delivering quality outcomes by implementing testing standards, governance, and processes.
• Strong experience across various test phases including functional, integration, system, regression, user acceptance support, and test automation.
• Strong understanding of Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC), Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), defect lifecycle, and release management processes.
• Minimum 5 years of experience working in Agile delivery models.
• Strong experience in stakeholder management, cross-functional coordination, and executive-level status reporting.
• Previous work experience in a Manufacturing environment is strongly desired.
• Solid understanding of test automation strategy, automation framework adoption, and execution of automated regression suites.
• Experience managing test environments, test data, and dependencies across multiple applications/systems is preferred.
• Experience working with globally distributed teams and multiple vendors is necessary.
• Ability to define, track, and present key quality metrics, KPIs, and dashboards to leadership.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to identify risks and drive resolution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate with technical teams, business users, and senior leadership.
• Strong people leadership skills, including mentoring, performance management, team coordination, and conflict resolution.
• Knowledge of quality management techniques, continuous improvement methods, and testing best practices.
• Experience in production validation, hyper care support, and post-release quality monitoring is an added advantage.
• Relevant certifications such as ISTQB, Agile, SAFe, or Tricentis certifications are desirable.

This position offers competitive market-based compensation, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee wellbeing. You can learn more about the benefits offered for this position by visiting https://careers.international.com/#benefits.

With its brands Scania, MAN, International, and Volkswagen Truck & Bus, TRATON SE is the parent and holding company of the TRATON GROUP and one of the world's leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. The Group's product portfolio comprises trucks, buses, and light-duty commercial vehicles. "Transforming Transportation Together. For a sustainable world.": this intention underlines the Company's ambition to have a lasting and sustainable impact on the commercial vehicle business and on the Group's commercial growth. ABOUT INTERNATIONAL From a one-man company built on the world-changing invention of the McCormick reaper in 1831, to the 15,000-person-strong company we are today, few companies can lay claim to a history like International. Based in Lisle, Illinois, International Motors, LLC* creates solutions that deliver greater uptime and productivity to our customers throughout the full operation of our commercial vehicles. We build International® trucks and engines and IC Bus® school and commercial buses that are as tough and as smart as the people who drive them. We also develop Fleetrite® aftermarket parts. In everything we do, our vision is to accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility to create the cleaner, safer world we all deserve. As of 2021, we joined Scania, MAN and Volkswagen Truck & Bus in TRATON GROUP, a global champion of the truck and transport services industry. To learn more, visit www.International.com. * International Motors, LLC is d/b/a International Motors USA in Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, and Utah.