SDET/QA Automation Lead (remote-only, worldwide remote)

We're looking for an SDET Automation Lead who can transform a technically capable but operationally strained QA team into a strategic, AI-powered quality engineering function. This is the opportunity to fundamentally rethink how we assure quality at scale. What You'll Own

1. Strategy & Architecture:

• Define key product quality metrics and build a strategic multi-quarter QA roadmap
• Execute the defined QA roadmap
• Expand test coverage systematically: prioritize by risk, by impact
• Own the test system infrastructure and the resource strategy

2. People & Execution:

• Build a team culture focused on heavy AI & automation usage
• Restructure on-duty rotation so it's equitable and sustainable
• Mentor 6 SDETs from "test writers" to "product quality engineers" who own subsystems end-to-end
• Create career growth paths

Tech Stack:

• Test Framework - pytest, Python, Playwright (emerging)
• CI/CD - Jenkins (Multibranch Pipelines, 100+ jobs), GitLab CI (migration target)
• Infrastructure - OpenNebula (VM orchestration), S3/Ceph
• Reporting - Allure Framework (POC), Redash/ClickHouse (current)
• Communication - Slack (daily reports, bots), Jira (DEF project, 1200+ issues)

• 5+ years in test automation, 2+ years leading a QA team (5+ engineers)
• Deep experience with Linux-based product testing (RPM, systemd, multi-distro matrix)
• Proven track record of dramatically improving test reliability metrics
• Experience building or integrating AI/ML into QA workflows (not theoretical - show us what you shipped)
• Strong Python skills (the entire test framework and tooling is Python)
• CI/CD pipeline architecture experience (Jenkins Pipelines > GitLab CI is upcoming)

Must demonstrate:

• Strategic thinking
• Delegation instinct: you'd build processes that distribute and track ownership
• Data-driven execution: You measure, set targets, and hold teams accountable to metrics
• Strategic initiative: You proactively propose and drive improvements, not wait for problems to be assigned to you
• Automation bias: If a human does it daily (like the nightly report), it should be automated - period

Nice to have:

• VM orchestration/cloud infrastructure testing experience
• Security product testing background (WAF, antivirus)

What's in it for you?

• A focus on professional development.
• Interesting and challenging projects.
• Fully remote work with flexible working hours, that allows you to schedule your day and work from any location worldwide.
• Paid 24 days of vacation per year, 10 days of national holidays, and unlimited sick leaves.
• Compensation for private medical insurance.
• Co-working and gym/sports reimbursement.
• Budget for education.
• The opportunity to receive a reward for the most innovative idea that the company can patent.