Test Lead/Senior QA Analyst

NPAworldwide; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

NPAworldwide is seeking a Test Lead to plan, coordinate, and oversee testing for a Dayforce HR/Payroll implementation in the Seattle area. You will define the test strategy, manage resources, and ensure coverage across HR/Payroll modules while collaborating with functional and technical teams.

The role requires 6–10+ years in software testing with at least 3 years as a Test Lead, plus experience with HR/Payroll systems and end-to-end testing cycles.

Qualifications

• 6–10+ years of software testing experience.
• At least 3 years in a Test Lead role.
• Experience testing HR/Payroll systems (Dayforce, Oracle HCM, Workday, ADP, UKG, PeopleSoft).
• Experience with payroll calculations, tax rules, benefits deductions.
• Strong understanding of HR processes and lifecycle.
• Experience leading UAT cycles with HR/payroll users.
• Familiarity with API/integration testing and data validation.
• Solid defect management and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own the test strategy, plan, and approach for the HR/Payroll project.
• Lead and mentor QA/test team members; assign tasks and monitor workload.
• Coordinate end-to-end testing cycles including functional, system integration, UAT, and parallel payroll testing.
• Identify test scenarios and cases across Core HR, Time & Attendance, Payroll, Benefits, and more.
• Work with HR, Payroll SMEs, BA, and technical teams to understand requirements.
• Track, log, and report defects; lead triage meetings with stakeholders.
• Report progress, risks, and issues; drive mitigation plans.
• Ensure coverage of external system integrations (benefit providers).
• Support cutover, regression testing, and readiness validations pre-go-live.
• Coordinate payroll mock runs and validate results.
• Maintain testing documentation and audit readiness.

Skills

Test Lead

HR/Payroll testing

QA process improvement

Stakeholder management

Test planning & strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT, CS, HRIS or related fields

Tools

Smartsheet

JIRA

SharePoint

Job description

Job Description

We are in the process of implementing Dayforce and the Test Lead is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing all testing activities for the HR and Payroll system implementation. This role ensures high-quality delivery by defining test strategy, managing test resources, ensuring coverage across all HR/Payroll modules, and collaborating with functional and technical teams.

Job Description

We are in the process of implementing Dayforce and the Test Lead is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing all testing activities for the HR and Payroll system implementation. This role ensures high-quality delivery by defining test strategy, managing test resources, ensuring coverage across all HR/Payroll modules, and collaborating with functional and technical teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and own the test strategy, test plan, and test approach for the HR and Payroll project.
• Lead and mentor QA/test team members, assign tasks and monitor workload.
• Coordinate end-to-end testing cycles including functional testing, system integration testing, end-to-end testing, parallel payroll testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT).
• Identify test scenarios and test cases covering all HR/Payroll modules such as Core HR, Time & Attendance, Payroll, Benefits, Compensation, Leave Management, and Employee Self-Service.
• Work closely with HR, Payroll SMEs, Business Analysts, and technical teams to understand requirements, process flows, and system integrations.
• Track, log, and report defects; lead defect triage meetings with stakeholders.
• Report test progress, risks, and issues to project leadership and drive mitigation plans.
• Ensure adequate coverage of integrations with external systems ( third-party benefits providers).
• Support cutover activities, regression testing, and readiness validations before go-live.
• Coordinate payroll mock runs, compare results, and validate outcomes.
• Ensure testing documentation is complete, accurate, and audit ready.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in IT, Computer Science, HRIS, or related fields.
• 6 - 10+ years of experience in software testing with at least 3 years as a Test Lead.
• Strong experience testing HR and Payroll systems (e.g. Dayforce, Oracle HCM, Workday, ADP, UKG, PeopleSoft, or similar).
• Experience testing payroll calculations including tax rules, statutory compliance, benefits deductions, retro payments, overtime, and off-cycle payroll.
• Solid understanding of HR processes: hire-to-retire lifecycle, compensation, benefits, time tracking, absence management.
• Experience managing UAT cycles and working directly with HR/Payroll business users.
• Experience with parallel payroll testing and payroll reconciliation
• Knowledge of integration testing (APIs, middleware, SFTP interfaces, banking files, GL files).
• Strong defect management and hands-on experience with tools like Smartsheet, JIRA, SharePoint
• Excellent documentation skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with HR/Payroll implementations or system migrations.

Why Is This a Great Opportunity

Work for a mission driven organization to help them build a strong HMS system that will set them up for success. This is a highly visible role that will require strong testing/implementation experience, change management skills and ability to effective work cross functionally.