Software Test Lead

SimoTech; Limerick; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Autonomy

Skill development

Exposure to large corporate clients

Job summary

SimoTech seeks a Software Engineering Test Lead to guide a team of validation and test engineers focused on MES applications within a biotech manufacturing context. You will drive the testing strategy, own quality gates, and collaborate with DevOps to ensure compliant, high-quality releases.

Based on a state-of-the-art biotech campus in Limerick, this hybrid role requires on-site presence three days per week with two days remote.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading software testing or QA activities for complex enterprise software in Agile/DevOps.
• Experience implementing test automation frameworks and integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines.
• Hands-on with test and defect management tools such as Azure DevOps, Jira, Tosca, Zephyr or similar.
• Strong MES testing experience, ideally with Emerson Syncade and regulated environments.
• Experience in regulated pharmaceutical or life sciences with knowledge of GxP, CSV, GAMP 5 and MES integrations.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of test and validation engineers.
• Define, own, and enhance end-to-end testing strategy for MES implementations and upgrades.
• Design, develop, and maintain test documentation including plans, cases, and scripts.
• Partner with CI/CD and DevOps to embed automated testing in pipelines.
• Act as the quality gate for MES releases before deployment.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to reflect real-world manufacturing operations.
• Lead defect management: triage, prioritisation, root cause analysis, resolution tracking.
• Support CSV activities and ensure testing meets regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate and improve test automation frameworks and standards.
• Ensure test environments reflect production-like conditions.
• Produce testing metrics and risk reports for leadership.

Skills

Software testing leadership

QA team management

Test automation

CI/CD integration

Regulated environments

Tools

Azure DevOps

Jira

Tosca

Zephyr

qTest

Job description

SimoTech provides manufacturing automation and IT systems engineering, project management and validation services. We partner with life sciences companies to design, build, operate and optimise critical process automation systems that deliver fast track project delivery, operational efficiency, improve manufacturing agility and achieve regulatory compliance.

Why SimoTech

What is it like to work at SimoTech? With a strong collaborative teamwork culture based on respect, trust and excellence, we play a critical partnering role to our clients’ life-changing supply of products to patients. In return, there is excellent salary, benefits, career progression, educational support and much more.

Software Engineering Test Lead 1699

SimoTech has an opportunity for a Software Engineering Test Lead to lead and mentor a team of Validation and Test Engineers, supporting the MES application and focused on driving continuous improvement, and taking ownership in of overall testing strategy for MES implementations, system integration, and upgrades.

Based on site a greenfield state-of-the-art biotech manufacturing campus the successful Software Engineering Test Lead will act as a key player in driving the quality assurance across the MES program. You will work closely with CI/CD MES DevOps and Development teams, acting as the gate keeper ensuring systems are thoroughly validated and meet functional, regulatory, and performance expectations before deployment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of test and validation engineers, fostering a strong quality culture and continuous improvement mindset.
• Define, own, and continuously enhance the end-to-end testing strategy for MES implementations, system upgrades, and integration projects.
• Design, develop, and maintain comprehensive test documentation, including test plans, test cases, and test scripts covering functional, regression, integration, performance, automation, and User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
• Partner with development and DevOps teams to embed automated testing within CI/CD pipelines, improving release quality, repeatability, and delivery speed.
• Act as the quality gate for MES releases, ensuring all changes meet regulatory, functional, and performance requirements prior to deployment.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders, manufacturing process owners, and validation teams to ensure test scenarios accurately reflect real-world manufacturing operations.
• Lead defect management activities, including triage, prioritisation, root cause analysis, and end-to-end resolution tracking using tools such as Azure DevOps, Jira, or similar platforms.
• Support Computer System Validation (CSV) activities and ensure testing complies with GxP, GAMP 5, and regulated software lifecycle requirements.
• Evaluate, implement, and continuously improve test automation frameworks, standards, and best practices suitable for regulated MES environments.
• Ensure test environments are appropriately configured, maintained, and aligned with production-like conditions.
• Produce clear testing metrics, quality reports, and risk assessments to provide stakeholders and senior leadership with meaningful project insight.

Key Requirements

• Proven experience leading software testing or quality assurance activities for complex enterprise software programmes within Agile and DevOps environments.
• Strong leadership experience managing QA teams and defining end-to-end testing strategies across functional, regression, integration, performance, automation, and UAT testing.
• Experience implementing test automation frameworks and integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines.
• Hands‑on experience with test and defect management tools such as Azure DevOps, Jira, Tosca, Zephyr, qTest, or similar platforms.
• Strong MES testing experience, ideally with Emerson Syncade, including workflows, electronic batch records, system integrations, and regulated environments.
• Experience working within regulated pharmaceutical or life sciences environments, with knowledge of GxP, Computer System Validation (CSV), GAMP 5, and MES integrations with SAP and LIMS.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work in a hybrid model, with three days per week based on‑site in Limerick and two days working remotely.

What SimoTech Can Offer

• Role provides a high degree of autonomy to allow the successful candidate to reach their full potential.
• Develop new skills and enhance technical ability by working with innovative technologies in a multi‑disciplined environment.
• Opportunity to work with large corporate clients on exciting capital projects.