Lead SDET & Automation Engineer - AI-Driven Testing

Cognizant; Juneau (AK); On-site; USD 71,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

401(k) plan and contributions

Paid holidays and PTO

Long-term/Short-term Disability

Paid Parental Leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking an experienced SDET/Automation Test Lead to drive quality engineering excellence across customer engagements in the United States. You will lead QA and automation strategies, design robust UI/API/end-to-end frameworks using Selenium, Playwright, and Katalon, and mentor teams while integrating with CI/CD pipelines.

The role emphasizes AI-enabled testing, GenAI-based approaches, and scalable automation to improve efficiency and coverage.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in Quality Engineering with significant experience as an SDET, Automation Lead, or Lead Quality Engineer.
• Hands-on expertise designing and scaling automation frameworks using Selenium, Playwright, Katalon, or similar technologies.
• Strong API automation experience using ReadyAPI, REST Assured, Postman, SOAP UI, or equivalent platforms.
• Proficiency in Java or JavaScript/TypeScript with experience developing maintainable automation solutions.
• Experience integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, or similar tools.
• Strong understanding of Agile methodologies, SDLC, STLC, and quality engineering best practices.
• Experience leading QA teams, driving automation initiatives, and establishing quality governance across programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality assurance and test automation strategies across customer engagements, ensuring quality, scalability, and timely delivery.
• Design, develop, and maintain robust UI, API, and end-to-end automation frameworks using industry-leading tools and best practices.
• Provide guidance, code reviews for Quality Engineers, SDETs, and automation teams.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define test strategies, establish quality gates, and drive continuous quality improvements.
• Implement and expand automation coverage across functional, regression, integration, API, and performance testing while enabling CI/CD and shift-left testing practices.
• Leverage AI and GenAI-based testing approaches, self-healing automation frameworks, and quality engineering accelerators to improve testing efficiency and effectiveness.

Skills

SDET

Automation Lead

Quality Governance

CI/CD

Stakeholder Collaboration

Tools

Selenium

Playwright

Katalon

REST Assured

Postman

SOAP UI

ReadyAPI

Job description

Cognizant is seeking an experienced SDET/Automation Test Lead to drive quality engineering excellence across customer engagements in the United States. You will lead QA and automation strategies, design robust UI/API/end-to-end frameworks using Selenium, Playwright, and Katalon, and mentor teams while integrating with CI/CD pipelines.

The role emphasizes AI-enabled testing, GenAI-based approaches, and scalable automation to improve efficiency and coverage.