Lead SDET

TEKsystems; United States; Remote; USD 113,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Critical Illness

Accident

Hospital

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and Long‑Term Disability

Health Spending Account

Transportation Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

PTO

Job summary

TEKsystems is seeking a hands-on Lead SDET to own quality engineering for complex, enterprise-scale applications. You will define test strategy, architect scalable automation across UI, API, data, and integration layers, and embed testing into CI/CD.

You will lead a team of SDETs, drive AI-enabled testing initiatives, and ensure reliable, maintainable automation while partnering with engineering, product, and client teams.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in test automation, SDET, or software engineering roles with leadership experience.
• Strong programming skills in Java, Python, JavaScript, or TypeScript with solid OOP and design-pattern knowledge.
• Proven experience designing automation frameworks from the ground up with modern tools.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end test strategy and plan, including risk‑based prioritization and estimates.
• Architect, build, and maintain scalable automation frameworks across UI, API, data, and integration testing.
• Embed testing into CI/CD with quality gates and actionable reporting.
• Lead a team of SDETs and mentor the group to grow automation capability.

Skills

Java

Python

JavaScript/TypeScript

Tools

Playwright

Selenium

Cypress

TestNG

JUnit

Pytest

Rest Assured

Karate

Postman

GitHub Actions

Azure DevOps

Jenkins

GitLab

Docker

Job description

Lead SDET

Think of TEKsystems Global Services (TGS) as the growth solution for enterprises today. We unleash growth through technology, strategy, design, execution and operations with a customer-first mindset for bold business leaders. We deliver cloud, data and customer experience solutions. Our partnerships with leading cloud, design and business intelligence platforms fuel our expertise. We value deep relationships, dedication to serving others and inclusion. We drive positive outcomes for our people and our business, and we stay true to our commitments and act in harmony with our words. We exist to create significant opportunity for people to achieve fulfillment through career success.

Ready to join us?

Heres what the opportunity supported through our TGS Talent Acquisition Team requires:

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.

This role blends strong traditional automation engineering with practical, governed use of AI. You will use AI to accelerate test design, authoring, maintenance, and triage, and you will define how AI‑enabled applications are tested. AI accelerates the work; engineering judgment and accountability for quality remain with the team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

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.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

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, ephemer… (as originally)

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

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Automation suites are stable, maintainable, and trusted by delivery teams as a release signal.

Faster feedback cycles, higher meaningful coverage, fewer flaky tests, and less manual triage.

AI adoption shows measurable productivity and quality gains without compromising security or client trust.

The SDET team grows in capability, consistency, and independence.

Top Skills Details

quality engineering

Additional Skills & Qualifications

See Above

Experience Level

Intermediate Level

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Hanover, MD.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $113100.00 - $169700.00/yr.

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.

We reserve the right to pay above or below the posted wage based on factors unrelated to sex, race, or any other protectedclassification.Additional earnings may be available through incentive programs like annual bonuses, profit sharing, etc.Our full‑time, internal employment benefits include the following:Medical, Dental, and VisionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life and AD&D for employee and dependents)Short and Long‑Term DisabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation BenefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

• Medical
• Dental
• and VisionCritical Illness
• Accident
• and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life and AD&D for employee and dependents)Short and Long‑Term DisabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation BenefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Hanover, MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 12, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

About TEKsystems

We're partners in transformation. We help clients activate ideas and solutions to take advantage of a new world of opportunity. We are a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 clients, including 80% of the Fortune 500, across North America, Europe and Asia. As an industry leader in Full‑Stack Technology Services, Talent Services, and real‑world application, we work with progressive leaders to drive change. That's the power of true partnership. TEKsystems is an Allegis Group company.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

About TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services

Were a leading provider of business and technology services. We accelerate business transformation for our customers. Our expertise in strategy, design, execution and operations unlocks business value through a range of solutions. Were a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 customers, including 80% of the Fortune 500 across North America, Europe and Asia, who partner with us for our scale, full‑stack capabilities and speed. Were strategic thinkers, hands‑on collaborators, helping customers capitalize on change and master the momentum of technology. Were building tomorrow by delivering business outcomes and making positive impacts in our global communities. TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services are Allegis Group companies. Learn more at TEKsystems.com.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.