QA Automation Engineer-W2 Only-Charlotte, NC-Onsite

We are seeking an experienced Senior QA Engineer to lead onsite quality assurance activities and coordinate with an offshore QA team. The ideal candidate will bring strong expertise in both manual and automation testing, backend validation, API testing, and defect analysis. This role requires excellent communication skills, technical leadership, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. Location Requirement: Candidates must be local to the Charlotte, North Carolina area and able to work onsite as required., * Lead onsite QA activities and provide technical direction, task prioritization, and support to offshore QA resources.

• Plan, design, execute, and review manual and automated test scenarios for functional, regression, integration, and end-to-end testing.
• Participate in business and technical discussions; clearly communicate test status, risks, defects, and quality concerns.
• Analyze, troubleshoot, and explain defects in detail to developers, business stakeholders, and leadership.
• Perform backend validation using databases, SQL queries, logs, APIs, and application monitoring tools.
• Develop and maintain API test cases and collections using Postman.
• Review test evidence, test documentation, defect reports, and release-readiness deliverables.
• Support the continuous improvement of QA processes, test coverage, automation practices, and team knowledge.
• Mentor offshore resources, share technical knowledge, and promote adoption of new tools and technologies.
• Balance leadership responsibilities with the ability to follow established technical direction, project priorities, and delivery processes.

• 6+ years of QA experience with a strong background in both manual and automation testing.
• Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating an offshore QA team.
• 4+ years of backend testing experience, including database validation, SQL queries, application logs, and troubleshooting.
• 4+ years of Postman experience for API testing, validation, and test collection development.
• Strong debugging and root-cause-analysis skills for application, integration, API, and data-related issues.
• Experience managing defects and test artifacts using JIRA and OpenText ALM Octane.
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint for test reporting, metrics, status communication, and stakeholder presentations.
• Ability to explain complex defects clearly, including business impact, reproduction steps, supporting evidence, and technical findings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience leading business and defect-triage calls.

• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment. Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automation tools and frameworks such as Selenium, Java, Python, REST Assured, or similar technologies.
• Experience working in Agile/Scrum delivery environments.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, Git, test reporting, and release-management processes.
• Experience validating microservices, event-driven applications, or cloud-based platforms.