QA Lead

LATAM

About Distillery 

Distillery Tech Inc accelerates innovation through an unyielding approach to nearshore software development. The world’s most innovative technology teams choose distillery to help accelerate strategic innovation, fill a pressing technology gap, and hit mission-critical deadlines. We support essential applications, mobile apps, websites, and eCommerce platforms through the placement of senior, strategic technical leaders and by deploying fully managed technology teams that work intimately alongside our client’s in-house development teams. At Distillery Tech Inc, we’re not here to reinvent nearshore software development, we’re on a mission to perfect it. Distillery Tech Inc is committed to diversity and inclusion. We actively seek to cultivate a workforce that reflects the rich tapestry of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences present in our society. Our recruitment efforts are dedicated to promoting equal opportunities for all candidates, regardless of race, etc.


About the Position

As a QA Lead, you will play a pivotal role in driving the quality assurance strategy and execution across the organization. This is a leadership position requiring deep technical expertise, strategic vision, and exceptional communication skills. You will lead the charge in ensuring the delivery of high-quality software products, championing quality at every stage of the development lifecycle.


Responsibilities:

  • Conducting a thorough analysis of the company's current development and testing processes to identify gaps and areas for improvement.
  • Define and document quality standards, metrics, and KPIs to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of the QA area.
  • Establishing QA processes and procedures, including test planning, test cases management, requirements traceability, defect management, root cause analysis, release management, etc.
  • Define the QA processes and procedures that fit not only the cross-functional and hybrid onshore-offshore-in-house teams but also the different methodologies and characteristics of each team.
  • Collaborating with the Product team to define the basis for the quality of the requirements, including user stories, acceptance criteria, achievable objectives, scope, etc.
  • Oversee the direction and execution of all test teams and projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
  • Perform in-depth reviews of the current implementation of test automation across projects, collaborating with teams to assess and prioritize automation needs.
  • Define and implement test automation strategies, including designing, developing, and maintaining automation frameworks and scripts for backend systems, APIs, and integration layers.
  • Lead the adoption of advanced testing tools and techniques, including CI/CD integration and performance testing solutions.
  • Monitor and ensure high test coverage across all layers of the application stack, including UI, API, and third-party integrations.
  • Proactively gather feedback from stakeholders and monitor QA implementation satisfaction levels.
  • Communicate effectively with stakeholders, including development teams, project managers, and senior management.
  • Lead, mentor, and inspire the QA team to excel in their roles, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
  • Coordinating the QA team and acting as the central point of key communications within the team and with various stakeholders.
  • Manage resource allocation, prioritization, and planning to ensure QA activities are executed efficiently.
  • Champion a culture of quality within the organization, promoting the importance of QA in achieving business objectives.

Technical Expertise:

  • Minimum of 9 years of experience in testing technical roles.
  • Proven experience as a Quality Assurance Lead or similar role.
  • Strong background in backend testing, including API testing, database validation, and performance testing.
  • Experience in designing and implementing test automation frameworks, particularly for backend systems.
  • Hands-on experience with automation tools such as Selenium, Playwright, Postman, REST Assured, JMeter, or similar tools.
  • Proficiency in programming/scripting languages (e.g., C#, Java) for creating and maintaining automated test scripts.
  • Familiarity with version control systems like Git and CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Azure DevOps, GitLab CI/CD, Jenkins).
  • Deep understanding of QA tools, processes, SDLC, and quality measures.

Leadership and Management:

  • Minimum of 3 years of experience leading teams.
  • Exceptional leadership skills with a proven ability to mentor and guide QA engineers.
  • Experience in managing geographically distributed remote teams, including onshore, offshore, and in-house teams.
  • Strong project management and QA methodology expertise, with a track record of delivering quality assurance in Agile frameworks (Scrum and Kanban).
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, adapt to changing requirements, and prioritize effectively.

Soft Skills:

  • Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building strong relationships with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
  • Analytical mindset with problem-solving aptitude and a keen eye for detail.
  • Flexibility to adapt to changing requirements and priorities in a dynamic environment.
  • Proven ability to advocate for QA best practices and influence organizational culture.
  • Preferred Skills:
  • Certification in relevant areas such as ISTQB, Certified Scrum Master (CSM), or Project Management Professional (PMP).
  • Experience with performance and load testing tools like JMeter or Gatling.
  • Familiarity with cloud-based environments and tools (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
  • Knowledge of security testing practices and tools.

Educational Background:

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, with a minimum of 12+ years of experience in software quality assurance.

Why You'll Like Working Here

  • Collaborate with multi-national teams committed to our core values: Unyielding Commitment, Relentless Pursuit, Courageous Ambition, and Authentic Connection.
  • Enjoy a competitive compensation package, generous vacation, and comprehensive benefits.
  • Work remotely in a flexible, supportive environment.
  • Access professional and personal development opportunities to advance your career.