> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/4600353-lead-sdet](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/4600353-lead-sdet). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

---

# Lead SDET

- **Company:** TEKSYSTEMS INC.
- **Location:** Hanover, MD, United States (Remote available)
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $113,100.0 - $169,700.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Testing (Software), Java (Programming Language), JavaScript (Programming Language), Web Accessibility, Adobe InDesign, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Agile Methodology, Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Acceptance Test-Driven Development, JIRA, User Authentication, Build Automation, Automation of Tests, Microsoft Azure, Behavior-Driven Development, Cloud Engineering, Code Generation, Code Review, Computer Programming, Databases, Continuous Integration, Data Validation, Information Leak Prevention, Extract Transform Load (ETL), Data Security, Software Design Patterns, Github, Apache JMeter, Junit, Python (Programming Language), Object-Oriented Software Development, Standard Sql, Selenium, Service Virtualization, Software Engineering, SQL Databases, System Testing, Test Case, Test Data, Test Management, Strategies of Testing, Testng, TypeScript, Performance Testing, Postman, GitHub Copilot, Retrieval-Augmented Generation, Appium, Large Language Models, Grafana, Cypress (Programming Language), Gatling, Generative AI, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Agentic-AI, Gitlab, Git, Specflow, Pytest, Integration Tests, Microsoft Test Manager, Playwright, RAGAS (Retrieval Augmented Generation Assessment), Data Analytics, Graphql, DeepEval, Cucumber (Software), Software Version Control, Api Management, Promptfoo, Docker, SDET, Jenkins
- **Published:** November 6, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.careercircle.com/jobs/all/all/usa/md/hanover/9c8daf90-6c9d-4622-bfb2-0dc7a185a978

## About the Role

8+ years in test automation, SDET, or software engineering roles, including at least 2 years leading automation teams or initiatives.

Strong programming skills in Java, Python, JavaScript, or TypeScript, with solid OOP, design-pattern, and Git fundamentals.

Proven experience designing automation frameworks from the ground up with Playwright, Selenium, or Cypress, and test runners such as TestNG, JUnit, or Pytest.

Strong API testing experience (REST and/or GraphQL) using Rest Assured, Karate, Postman, or similar, including authentication and contract validation.

Hands-on CI/CD integration with GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, Jenkins, or GitLab, and working knowledge of Docker.

Working SQL skills and experience validating data across databases and integrated systems.

Practical, day-to-day use of AI coding or testing assistants, with a clear understanding of their limits, risks, and need for validation.

Strong grasp of Agile delivery, test management, and defect lifecycle (e.g., Jira, Xray, Azure Test Plans).

Excellent communication and mentoring skills; comfortable in client-facing environments.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

AI testing: Experience testing LLM, RAG, or agentic applications, or using evaluation frameworks and LLM-as-judge techniques.

Specialized testing: Performance (JMeter, k6, Gatling), data/ETL, mobile (Appium), or accessibility testing.

Cloud: Azure, AWS, or GCP exposure, ephemeral test environments, and infrastructure-as-code.

Domain: Experience in banking, energy, automotive, or other regulated enterprise environments.

Certifications: ISTQB (Advanced, CT-AI, or CT-GenAI) or a cloud associate certification. Valued, not required.

TECHNICAL ENVIRONMENT

UI and mobile: Playwright, Selenium, Cypress, Appium

API and contract: Rest Assured, Karate, Postman, Pact

Frameworks and BDD: TestNG, JUnit, Pytest, Cucumber/SpecFlow

CI/CD: GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, Jenkins, GitLab, Docker

AI: GitHub Copilot, LLM APIs, agentic tools, evaluation frameworks (e.g., DeepEval, Ragas, promptfoo)

Test management: Jira, Xray, Azure Test Plans, Allure or similar reporting, Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

## Description

CI/CD
Junit
Triage
Gitlab
Github
Appium
TestNG
Jenkins
GraphQL
Banking
Specflow
Test Case
Operations
Leadership
Automation
Mentorship
TypeScript
Resilience
AI Testing
Grafana k6
Code Review
Scalability
Testability
API Testing
Test Design
AI Adoption
Azure DevOps
Quality Gate
REST Assured
Communication
Data Security
Apache JMeter
Test Strategy
Accountability
Prioritization
System Testing
Execution Time
GitHub Copilot
Hallucinations
Test Automation
Authentications
Microsoft Azure
Test Management
Customer Service
Build Automation
Contract Testing
Agile Methodology
Docker (Software)
Defect Life Cycle
Karate (Software)
AI-Generated Code
Business Valuation
Gatling (Software)
Shift-Left Testing
Root Cause Analysis
Amazon Web Services
Integration Testing
Selenium (Software)
Cucumber (Software)
Software Engineering
Data Loss Prevention
Postman API Platform
Test Data Generation
Business Intelligence
Deterministic Methods
Requirements Analysis
Technology Strategies
Full Stack Development
Non-Functional Testing
Microsoft Test Manager
Service Virtualization
Business Transformation
Software Design Patterns
Web Accessibility Testing
Automation Systems Design
SQL (Programming Language)
Java (Programming Language)
Behavior-Driven Development
Git (Version Control System)
Extract Transform Load (ETL)
Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
Cloud Computing Architecture
Python (Programming Language)
Playwright (Software Testing)
JavaScript (Programming Language)
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
Generative Artificial Intelligence
Acceptance Test-Driven Development
Application Programming Interface (API)
International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Certified, We are seeking a hands-on Lead SDET to own quality engineering for complex, enterprise-scale applications. You will define test strategy, architect and scale automation frameworks across UI, API, data, and integration layers, embed testing into CI/CD, and lead a team of SDETs to deliver reliable, maintainable automation., Test Strategy and Quality Leadership

Own the end-to-end test strategy and plan, including risk-based prioritization, test levels, environments, test data, entry/exit criteria, and estimates.

Define and report quality metrics (coverage, defect leakage, flaky-test rate, execution time, automation ROI) that drive release decisions.

Drive shift-left practices: testable acceptance criteria, BDD/ATDD, contract testing, and early involvement in design and code reviews.

Plan and guide non-functional testing, including performance, accessibility, security, and resilience, based on application risk.

Automation Architecture and Engineering

Architect, build, and maintain scalable automation frameworks for UI, API, database, and integration testing using sound design patterns (POM, Screenplay, layered and data-driven design).

Write production-quality test code; set coding standards, branching practices, and review automation code across the team.

Integrate automation into CI/CD pipelines with quality gates, parallel and containerized execution, test selection, and actionable reporting.

Manage test data, mocks, and service virtualization; reduce flakiness through root-cause analysis and stable synchronization patterns.

AI-Enabled Testing

Use approved AI tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, LLMs, agentic tools) to accelerate requirement analysis, test case and test data generation, script authoring, self-healing maintenance, and failure triage.

Build or integrate AI-powered test utilities where they deliver measurable value, with reusable prompts and clear success criteria.

Test LLM, RAG, and agent-based features for accuracy, grounding, hallucination, prompt injection, data leakage, bias, and response consistency.

Apply guardrails: human review, deterministic assertions, secure data handling, and validation of all AI-generated code and test assets.

Team Leadership and Delivery

Lead, mentor, and grow SDETs; allocate work, unblock issues, and build automation and AI-testing capability across the team.

Communicate quality status, risks, and trade-offs clearly to engineering, product, and client stakeholders.

Contribute to estimates, proposals, and SOWs with realistic, scope-safe commitments; support onboarding and process improvement.