MES Test Automation Lead - Hybrid/Remote

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation; Cork; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation in Ireland seeks a Software Test Automation Lead (MES) to lead the testing and validation function for MES implementations, upgrades, and integration programs in a regulated manufacturing environment.

You will own testing strategy from planning to execution, ensure release quality gates, guide CSV activities to align with GxP/GAMP 5, and build a comprehensive suite of test docs.

Qualifications

• Track record leading QA/testing functions on complex enterprise software programs within Agile/DevOps delivery models.
• Ability to define and run a full-spectrum testing strategy — functional, regression, integration, performance, automation, and UAT — while leading a QA team.
• Practical experience embedding test automation frameworks into CI/CD pipelines.
• Direct experience with Azure DevOps, plus test tools such as Cucumber, Behave, Tosca, or Robot and test management frameworks such as Xray, Zephyr, qTest, or similar.
• Solid MES testing background — Emerson Syncade (DeltaV MES) preferred — covering electronic batch records, workflow configuration, and system integrations in a regulated setting.
• Working knowledge of GxP, CSV, and GAMP 5, along with experience testing MES integrations with systems like SAP and LIMS, gained in a pharma or life sciences environment.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable with a hybrid schedule: three days on-site in Limerick, two days remote.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the overall testing strategy across MES implementation, upgrade, and integration projects, ensuring end-to-end coverage from planning through execution.
• Serve as the release quality gate for MES changes, confirming that regulatory, functional, and performance criteria are satisfied before anything reaches production.
• Guide Computer System Validation (CSV) activities, ensuring all testing aligns with GxP, GAMP 5, and regulated software lifecycle expectations.
• Build and maintain the full suite of test documentation — plans, cases, and scripts — spanning functional, regression, integration, performance, automation, and UAT testing.
• Work with manufacturing process owners, business stakeholders, and validation teams to make sure test scenarios genuinely reflect how operations run on the floor.
• Own defect management end-to-end: triage, prioritisation, root cause analysis, and resolution tracking, using Azure DevOps, Jira, or equivalent platforms.
• Partner with development and DevOps teams to weave automated testing into CI/CD pipelines, raising release quality, repeatability, and delivery speed.
• Select, roll out, and refine test automation frameworks and standards fit for a regulated MES environment.
• Keep test environments properly configured and aligned with production-like conditions.
• Report testing metrics, quality status, and risk assessments in a form that gives stakeholders and senior leadership genuine visibility into project health.
• Build and lead a team of test and validation engineers, embedding a culture of quality ownership and continuous improvement.

Skills

QA leadership

MES testing

CI/CD integration

Azure DevOps

Test automation

GxP compliance

Regulated software

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Regulatory validation

Tools

Cucumber

Behave

Tosca

Robot Framework

Xray

Zephyr

qTest

SAP

LIMS

Emerson Syncade

Job description

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation in Ireland seeks a Software Test Automation Lead (MES) to lead the testing and validation function for MES implementations, upgrades, and integration programs in a regulated manufacturing environment.

You will own testing strategy from planning to execution, ensure release quality gates, guide CSV activities to align with GxP/GAMP 5, and build a comprehensive suite of test docs.