Principal Engineer, Quality

CarMax; United States; Hybrid; USD 113,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Vacation time

Holiday pay

Job summary

CarMax is seeking a Principal Engineer, Quality, to lead the quality engineering strategy and ensure production software is thoroughly tested and high performing. You will architect automation frameworks, mentor multiple teams, and drive advanced testing strategies across Agile streams to deliver reliable customer experiences.

You will design scalable testing infrastructure and report quality metrics to stakeholders, while guiding tool selection and best practices across the enterprise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field with 7+ years of experience.
• 8+ years of experience in Quality Engineering with automation frameworks.
• Strong understanding of IT systems, including design, OO concepts, databases, and programming fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor organization-wide test automation efforts, ensuring best practices and scalability.
• Create and implement test strategies for multiple teams, focusing on automation and efficiency.
• Drive modern testing methodologies to shift testing left and improve development workflows.
• Develop and report key quality metrics to stakeholders for transparency and accountability.
• Design and build testing infrastructure and integrations for regression and integration testing.
• Manage bug triage processes, prioritize issues, and oversee resolution of critical defects.
• Evaluate and introduce new tools and methods to enhance automation productivity across the enterprise.

Skills

Quality engineering

Automation frameworks

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Master's degree

Tools

NodeJS

WebDriverIO

Playwright

C# .Net Core

Azure

REST API testing

Job description

Position Overview

As a Principal Engineer, Quality, you will lead CarMax's quality engineering strategy to ensure only thoroughly tested, high-performing software reaches production. This role is critical to delivering a flawless customer experience and driving innovation across CarMax's in-store applications. You will design robust automation frameworks, mentor teams, and influence quality practices across multiple Agile development streams, ensuring scalable and efficient testing solutions that align with CarMax's commitment to excellence.

Why CarMax?

At CarMax, we are the nation's largest retailer of used cars with stores from coast to coast, and we are still growing. We're rethinking the way people buy cars - and it's our associates that help us do just that. We believe work should feel meaningful and rewarding, with opportunities to make an impact every day. This is where innovation meets passion - be inspired and supported to take us to the future.

Team Overview

You'll join the Quality Engineering organization, serving as a lead contributor and trusted advisor for automation and testing best practices. This role requires collaboration across multiple teams to establish quality standards, implement advanced testing strategies, and drive continuous improvement in software delivery.

Role Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor organization-wide test automation efforts, ensuring best practices and scalability.
• Create and implement test strategies for multiple teams, focusing on automation and efficiency.
• Drive modern testing methodologies to shift testing left and improve development workflows.
• Develop and report key quality metrics to stakeholders for transparency and accountability.
• Design and build testing infrastructure and integrations for regression and integration testing.
• Manage bug triage processes, prioritize issues, and oversee resolution of critical defects.
• Evaluate and introduce new tools and methods to enhance automation productivity across the enterprise.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field with 7+ years of experience, or Master's degree with 5+ years of experience.
• 8+ years of experience in Quality Engineering with expertise in automation frameworks.
• Advanced understanding of IT systems, including system design, object-oriented concepts, databases, and programming fundamentals (HTML, JavaScript/TypeScript, Web Services).
• Proficiency in modern test automation tools such.
• Strong communication and organizational skills to influence strategic initiatives across diverse teams.
• Ability to manage multiple work streams and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with NodeJS and WebDriverIO.,/Playwright NodeJS / C# / TypeScript API/Integration test automation
• Proficiency in API and integration test automation frameworks.
• C# .Net Core, and Azure or similar cloud technologies.
• REST API testing experience.
• Experience with API design and development.
• Knowledge and passion towards the App tier/Service layer methodologies.

Work Location and Arrangement

Work location is flexible if approved by the Company.

Work Authorization: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Sponsorship will not be considered for this specific role.

About CarMax

At CarMax, we revolutionized the used car buying experience over 30 years ago by introducing transparency and integrity into the process. Our commitment to customer experience, innovation, and community has made us the nation’s largest used car retailer. With over 250 store locations and over 30,000 associates, we are proud to have been recognized as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® and are committed to helping our communities thrive. As an associate, you are part of an innovative movement to empower the modern customer and drive progress. Your work fuels change- sparking ideas, overcoming challenges, and shaping what's next. Join us in creating a better future- for our company, our customers, and the communities we call home.

CarMax is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The annual salary for this position is: $113,100.00 - $169,700.00 May be eligible for bonus and equity.

Benefits:

• Except as otherwise required by state law, CarMax Associates are entitled to the following paid sick, vacation, and holiday time.
• Associates that are considered full-time hourly or commission/incentive eligible: To earn up to 48 hours of sick time per year accrued on a per pay period basis and between 80 hours and 200 hours per year of vacation time after a 90 day waiting period depending on years of continuous service with the Company.
• For 8 hours of pay for each of a total of 6 paid scheduled holidays per year plus 1 floating holiday.
• If such an Associate does work on a scheduled holiday due to business need, they are eligible for Holiday Premium Pay.
• Associates considered full-time salaried are entitled to paid time away with no specified limit as needed for sick, vacation, bereavement, jury duty, holidays, floating holiday, etc. subject to manager approval.
• For more details about benefits, please visit our CarMax Benefits website.
• Upon an applicant's request, CarMax will consider reasonable accommodation to complete the CarMax Job Application.

CarMax disrupted the auto industry by delivering the honest, transparent and high-integrity experience customers want and deserve. This innovative thinking around the way cars are bought and sold has helped us become the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, with over 200 locations nationwide. Our amazing team of more than 25,000 associates work together to deliver iconic customer experiences. Along the way, we help every associate grow their career and achieve their best, at work and in their community. We are recognized for our commitment to training and diversity and are one of the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For®.