Lead Automation Quality Engineer (Backend-Focused)

Need on W2 Need / USC
Need 10+ Years of experience

JOB DESCRIPTION
We're building a next-gen financial processing platform modernizing a complex, legacy SQL Server system into cloud - native microservices. We need a hands - on QA automation lead to build & own the automation framework, focusing on backend validation, test data tooling, & end - to - end service integrity.
This is a greenfield QA automation initiative ideal for someone who thrives in a startup-like, build - from - scratch environment. You ll be the hands-on lead for automation implementation, working closely with the QA Manager to bring the strategy to life. This role is perfect for someone who wants to take ownership of framework development, contribute to defining best practices, & help shape how modern, distributed systems are tested.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead test automation implementation across backend services, APIs, & data pipelines
Design & build a test automation framework ( language open, e.g., Python, JavaScript / Node, or C#) for:
API / service testing
Data validation between legacy SQL Server & new cloud services
Smoke & regression test orchestration
Develop tools / utilities for test data creation, reset, & snapshot validation
Integrate tests into CI / CD pipelines ( CodePipeline, Azure DevOps )
Write & maintain automated sanity checks for environment health after data resets or deployments
Collaborate closely with developers, product owners, & functional QA testers on test coverage, environment readiness, & performance validation
Mentor junior QA engineers
QUALIFICATIONS
5 - 7 + years in QA automation or software engineering in test ( SDET ), with backend / data-heavy systems
Proficient in Python or JavaScript for building test frameworks / tools
Strong in SQL & data validation ideally with Microsoft SQL Server
Experience with RESTful APIs, microservices, & containerized deployments
Familiarity with AWS services like S3, Lambda, ECS / Fargate, CloudWatch
Experience integrating with CI / CD pipelines for automated test execution
Clear understanding of TDD / BDD & how to implement those practices in real teams
Comfortable working in fast - paced Agile environments with incomplete information